Obituary for Gloria Wheaten Finney (Wheaten)
On June 24, 1933, a baby girl was born to the late Joseph and Vera Wheaten in Mobile, Alabama. They named her Gloria Francis Wheaten. She was the fourth of seven children born to this union.
Young Gloria spent her formative years under the nurturing care of her parents who were affectionately known as "Daddy Joe" and "Momma Vera." Her entrepreneurial skills were honed along the shores of an area known as Down the Bay, where she sold a bounty of fresh produce grown on the family property with the help of her siblings.
Her early childhood schooling began in the Mobile area, and she furthered her education by earning a high school diploma from Central School.
She confessed Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and was a devoted member of the Faith Lutheran Church of Mobile for 40 years. She was a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) and the United Negro Council of Women. She and her daughter Rose later joined New Hope Baptist Church together, along with her nephews and grandchildren, where Rev. Gabe Davis was the overseer. While there, Gloria was an active and faithful member, serving in the Mission Department and Senior Choir. She later joined Christian United Baptist Church in 2002, under the leadership of Rev. Alfonso Hires. Eventually, she attended church with her daughter, Andretta, at Trinity Lutheran of Mobile.
Gloria was a devoted wife of a Seaman for nearly 30 years, and always put the care of her family first and foremost. Her hospitality was felt throughout the community, as she uplifted spirits with her winning smile and words of wisdom in good times and bad. While raising her own family, Gloria was sought out by several local families to assist them in rearing their children. She took on extra jobs by taking in washing and ironing, and was seasonably employed at the Mobile Civic Center. She also served as a full-time volunteer at Merryvale Elementary School.
She was sought after by several local families to assist with caring for their children. Gloria rose to the occasion while simultaneously caring for her own children. She also took on extra jobs by taking in washing and ironing. She was sought after by several local families to assist with caring for their children. Gloria rose to the occasion while simultaneously caring for her own children. In addition, she took on extra jobs by taking in washing and ironing. Always taking pride in exhibiting a strong work ethic wherever she was employed, Gloria thoroughly demonstrated enjoyment in the performance of her work.
On Saturday, April 23, 2022, Mrs. Gloria Finney departed this earthly life and entered into her eternal rest, under the loving care of her Devoted Son: Joseph Nicholas. She was preceded in death by her Parents: Joseph and Vera Wheaton; her Husband: Roosevelt Finney; Daughter: Michelle Nicholas Johnson; One Son-in-law: John Harris; Brother & his wife: Melvin (Lillie) Wheaten; Four Sisters: Josephine Holt, Merceline (Charles) Crawford, Doris Wheaten and Anniece Wheaten; Sister-in-law: Annie Finney; two Brothers-in-law.
Gloria is survived by One Sister: Vivian Wheaten; One Brother-in-law: Taylor (Clarice) Finney; One Son: Joseph Nicholas; Three Daughters: Gail Harris, Andretta (Woodrow) McCants and Rose (Jose) Montanez; One Bonus Son: Leonard (Henrietta) Wheaten; One Son-in-law: Colonel Rivers Johnson; Twelve Grandchildren: Tuajana Nicholas; April McCants (Louis) Gloston; Chrystal Johnson-McCurdy, Rashard Nicholas, Royce (Tammy) Harris; Rivers (Crystal) Johnson III; Genavese Harris, James (Whitney) Bradley Jr, Ashante (Sabrina) Nicholas, Amanda Harris, Roosevelt Bradley and Jarren Nicholas; Twelve Great-Grandchildren: Taylor Alexis McCants, Cassidy Nicholas, Kourtland Nicholas, Kieran Nicholas, Kayla Nicholas, Louis Gloston IV, Landon Gloston, Londyn Gloston, Paige McGurdy, Peyton McCurdy, Cookson Bradley, DeMarion Harris, Abigail Harris, Aliza Harris, Annalisa Harris, Rivers Johnson IV, Emma Johnson and Zaria Nicholas; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Her family gives special recognition to her Devoted Daughter-in-law: Linda Namsun Nicholas; devoted Nephew: Kenneth Wayne Crawford, and Spiritual Daughter: Ursula Newhouse. Her many relatives and church families held a special place in her heart and were lovingly supportive until her demise. Gloria never met a stranger. Her exuberant and welcoming personality will truly be missed by her family, friends, and neighbors.
Young Gloria spent her formative years under the nurturing care of her parents who were affectionately known as "Daddy Joe" and "Momma Vera." Her entrepreneurial skills were honed along the shores of an area known as Down the Bay, where she sold a bounty of fresh produce grown on the family property with the help of her siblings.
Her early childhood schooling began in the Mobile area, and she furthered her education by earning a high school diploma from Central School.
She confessed Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and was a devoted member of the Faith Lutheran Church of Mobile for 40 years. She was a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) and the United Negro Council of Women. She and her daughter Rose later joined New Hope Baptist Church together, along with her nephews and grandchildren, where Rev. Gabe Davis was the overseer. While there, Gloria was an active and faithful member, serving in the Mission Department and Senior Choir. She later joined Christian United Baptist Church in 2002, under the leadership of Rev. Alfonso Hires. Eventually, she attended church with her daughter, Andretta, at Trinity Lutheran of Mobile.
Gloria was a devoted wife of a Seaman for nearly 30 years, and always put the care of her family first and foremost. Her hospitality was felt throughout the community, as she uplifted spirits with her winning smile and words of wisdom in good times and bad. While raising her own family, Gloria was sought out by several local families to assist them in rearing their children. She took on extra jobs by taking in washing and ironing, and was seasonably employed at the Mobile Civic Center. She also served as a full-time volunteer at Merryvale Elementary School.
She was sought after by several local families to assist with caring for their children. Gloria rose to the occasion while simultaneously caring for her own children. She also took on extra jobs by taking in washing and ironing. She was sought after by several local families to assist with caring for their children. Gloria rose to the occasion while simultaneously caring for her own children. In addition, she took on extra jobs by taking in washing and ironing. Always taking pride in exhibiting a strong work ethic wherever she was employed, Gloria thoroughly demonstrated enjoyment in the performance of her work.
On Saturday, April 23, 2022, Mrs. Gloria Finney departed this earthly life and entered into her eternal rest, under the loving care of her Devoted Son: Joseph Nicholas. She was preceded in death by her Parents: Joseph and Vera Wheaton; her Husband: Roosevelt Finney; Daughter: Michelle Nicholas Johnson; One Son-in-law: John Harris; Brother & his wife: Melvin (Lillie) Wheaten; Four Sisters: Josephine Holt, Merceline (Charles) Crawford, Doris Wheaten and Anniece Wheaten; Sister-in-law: Annie Finney; two Brothers-in-law.
Gloria is survived by One Sister: Vivian Wheaten; One Brother-in-law: Taylor (Clarice) Finney; One Son: Joseph Nicholas; Three Daughters: Gail Harris, Andretta (Woodrow) McCants and Rose (Jose) Montanez; One Bonus Son: Leonard (Henrietta) Wheaten; One Son-in-law: Colonel Rivers Johnson; Twelve Grandchildren: Tuajana Nicholas; April McCants (Louis) Gloston; Chrystal Johnson-McCurdy, Rashard Nicholas, Royce (Tammy) Harris; Rivers (Crystal) Johnson III; Genavese Harris, James (Whitney) Bradley Jr, Ashante (Sabrina) Nicholas, Amanda Harris, Roosevelt Bradley and Jarren Nicholas; Twelve Great-Grandchildren: Taylor Alexis McCants, Cassidy Nicholas, Kourtland Nicholas, Kieran Nicholas, Kayla Nicholas, Louis Gloston IV, Landon Gloston, Londyn Gloston, Paige McGurdy, Peyton McCurdy, Cookson Bradley, DeMarion Harris, Abigail Harris, Aliza Harris, Annalisa Harris, Rivers Johnson IV, Emma Johnson and Zaria Nicholas; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Her family gives special recognition to her Devoted Daughter-in-law: Linda Namsun Nicholas; devoted Nephew: Kenneth Wayne Crawford, and Spiritual Daughter: Ursula Newhouse. Her many relatives and church families held a special place in her heart and were lovingly supportive until her demise. Gloria never met a stranger. Her exuberant and welcoming personality will truly be missed by her family, friends, and neighbors.