Orelia Fay Finley

Orelia (Re Re) Fay Finley was born on June 24, 1950 in Mobile, Alabama to the late Theodore Finley and Willie Mae Finley – Lewis who both preceded her in death. She is the granddaughter of the first black High Sheriff in the Crichton Community of Mobile County, the late Jack Finley. Orelia departed this life on Friday, April 3, 2020 of natural causes. She attended Toulminville High School and later graduated in 1969 from Cedar Grove Academy in Mobile, Alabama. A graduate from Carver State Technical College where she successfully became a licensed barber. Orelia sold insurance policies, performed janitorial services, substituted at Mobile County Public Schools (MCPS) and enjoyed being a homemaker. She enjoyed traveling whenever she could and taking care of her children and grandchildren. She later devoted some of her time to patient care as a Home Health care Assistant and helping the homeless. Orelia’s favorite things to do was playing the piano, crocheting, and sewing. She accepted Christ at an early age at the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Mobile, Alabama where her mom and dad hosted many home dinners and events for local and visiting pastors in conjunction with the church Hospitality Department. Orelia’s father who was the head chef and mother worked at the Athelstan Club in downtown Mobile for many years where the love story began. Orelia was active in Sunday School, Youth Choir, Youth Education, Baptist Training Union (BTU) and played piano for various events and programs. Orelia’s desire was to become a music major at Alabama State College until her mother’s untimely death in 1968. Orelia enjoyed riding on the Mardi Gras floats as a young girl and loved shopping with her mom. She enjoyed traveling at an early age to New York, Chicago, Georgia, Mississippi and later in life to California, New Orleans, and Florida. She was planning her next trip to see the Martin Luther King Jr. monument in Washington, D.C., San Antonio, Texas, and Cancun, Mexico with her oldest son. A year before her death she moved her membership to her mother’s home church the Bethel (AME) African Methodist Episcopal Church of Mobile, Alabama. She leaves to cherish her memories to her former husband Leon E. Rhoden Sr. of Mobile, Alabama six beloved children: two sons, Torlorf (former wife Natalie) Finley of Jacksonville, Florida: Leon E. Rhoden Jr. of Mobile, Alabama. Four daughters, Natashia (Thomas) Mc Cants - Rhoden of Mobile, Alabama, Shanika (Fiance’ Matthew) Wilson - Rhoden of Mobile, Alabama, Chasity Rhoden of Jacksonville, Florida, and Aurelia Rhoden of Atlanta, Georgia: eleven grandchildren: Adriauna Finley, Kevin Finley, Laila Finley, Justin (Fiancée Cheree) Rhoden - Parker, Sheanice Rhoden, Sheila Mc Cants, Deyonte Mc Cants, Caliyah Horne, Calvin Horne Jr., Eddie Meredith Jr., and Idris Rhoden: three great grandchildren Trey Parker, Jamari Parker, Jamea Parker. a host of devoted cousins, other relatives, close friends, and neighbors. Memorial services will be held at the Cooper Riverside Park in downtown Mobile, Alabama on Thursday, May 14, 2020 promptly at 6 pm in the evening to celebrate her life here on earth and her transition to heaven.

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Orelia Fay Finley

June 24, 1950 - April 3, 2020