Life Story

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." ~Proverbs 3:5-6

Known lovingly as Daddy Bob, Uncle Bobby and Grandfather, ROBERT AMOS FINLEY departed this life on April 30, 2021 as he lived it - quietly, with family, full of faith.

He was born on January 6, 1945, the only child of Robert and Birdie Brown Finley. Young Robert’s life centered around school, family and church. He attended early morning prayer services with his Dad, recited Christmas and Easter speeches in “short pants” and traveled to sister churches. He learned early on the importance of being obedient to parents, living a Holy life and serving God’s people. With his parents, Robert enjoyed hosting church convention delegates in their home, including young Rev. Samuel Cofer, Sr. and his wife Rose. Many years later Elder Cofer would become his pastor and brother-in-law.

Blessed with a community of loving family nearby including older siblings from his father, Robert attended Atlanta Public Schools. He graduated from Washington High School where he played trumpet in the marching band and discovered a love for accounting. After an initial semester at Morehouse College, Robert spent one summer as a golf caddy with his childhood buddy Claude Boyd before striking off to fulfill his dream: earning a B.S in Accounting at Hampton University. He completed an internship in Connecticut, impressing his host family by cleaning their house top to bottom every Saturday to thank them for their generosity.

Robert’s scholarship and experience earned him a coveted first job as a staff accountant at IBM, one of the world’s largest employers. He married and settled in White Plains, New York. Robert completed basic training and served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Later, he returned to Atlanta, where he rededicated himself to his home church when he fell in love and married Regina Finley. They enjoyed traveling and serving the Lord together. And he discovered a new love: becoming a devoted father to their daughter Tracie.

Robert’s unassuming manner stood in contrast to his professional achievements. He was an entrepreneur and financial executive for numerous companies, including the Shenandoah, Georgia development and Southwest Hospital.

He spent many years as Vice President of Finance for H.J. Russell & Company, the nation’s largest Black-owned construction firm. Robert’s duties included managing finances for more than a dozen construction, real estate development and property management divisions.

Many people never knew that God allowed Robert to manage multi-million dollar projects and work with top CEOs, politicians and civil rights leaders - while remaining humble and true to his roots in Holiness. Lessons learned in Sunshine Band were the foundation for his professional success.

Robert loved helping people. He secured jobs for church youth, sang in the Bethlehem Atlanta choir and Male Chorus, spoke on Youth Days, served on the baptism committee and worked diligently with the local chapter of the National Youth Auxiliary. He spent a decade cooking and cleaning chicken in the church kitchen for hundreds of delegates.

In 1996, Robert and Regina moved to the Washington, D.C. area where they lovingly cared for his mother Birdie until her death in 2006. He worked in accounting and property management, and prepared taxes. He faithfully served Bethlehem Washington as a praying brother, frequent devotional service leader, member of the Mass Choir and Male Chorus, tax consultant, baptism committee and Sunday School scholar. A student of history and Holiness, he enjoyed Men's Bible Study and looked forward to cleaning the church every week with his grandson.

Robert LOVED his family, especially his daughter and grandchildren. For school programs, birthday celebrations, travel - he was always there with Godly wisdom, generously and quietly supporting with a big smile.

For 76 years, Robert quietly impacted the world around him with a sweet and gentle spirit. He left a clear and distinct legacy for his family: love God, do His Will, serve His people. As his favorite testimony song says, he has found his joyful song.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents and siblings

Ochelle Favors, Frances Fuller, Missionary Katherine F. C. Cofer and Elder James W. Finley. He is lovingly remembered by Regina; his devoted and loving daughter

Tracie (Rev. Derek Potts); grandchildren Jessica, Anna, and Derek Andrew; great-grandchildren Jayden and Cali; brother-in-law Eddie (Phyllis) Faulk; Godchildren Norman

H. Ross, Jr., Rev. John (Christy) Taylor, Annessia

Alexander, and MaranaSue Keith; God sister Deborah Gooch; dear friends Claude Boyd, Norman Ross and Charles Stevens; nieces, nephews and cousins from the Finley, Brown and Faulk families; other relatives, friends, coworkers and church family.

OrderofService

Elder Samuel B. Cofer, Sr., Officiating Bethlehem Church of God Holiness ~ Washington, D.C. 20011

Processional

Invocation............................................................................................. Reverend Matthew James

Scripture Reading................................................................................ Reverend Matthew James

Life Story .................................................................................................................... Read Silently

Church Paper/ Acknowledgments Mrs. Sina James

Selection ~ “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” ................................................. Mrs. Michelle Cade

Reflections (3 minutes) .........................................................Mrs. Paula Wade, longtime friend

Mr. Eddie Faulk, brother-in-law

Mr. Derek Andrew Potts, grandson Elder Samuel B. Cofer, Sr., Pastor

Selection ~ “So You Would Know” .............................................................. Mr. Charles Stevens

Eulogy.....................................................................................................Elder Alvarado Williams

Benediction

Recessional ~ “I Have Found A Joyful Song”...........................................................Congregation

George Washington Cemetery 9500 Riggs Road |Adelphi, Maryland 20783