Obituary of Rosa Ellen Finney

On December 4, 2020, Rosa Ellen Bradley Finney departed this life peacefully in the presence of her loving husband, son, and daughter, succumbing to a brief struggle with coronavirus. Rosa Ellen was born October 31, 1935 to Phoebe Harris and Cleveland Granville Bradley in the Trenholm community of Powhatan, VA. She was the baby sister in a loving home and had seven sisters and three brothers. As a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church of Powhatan, she was baptized at an early age and maintained her membership there throughout her life. After graduating from Pocahontas High School in 1954, Rosa attended Virginia Union University and earned her bachelor's degree in 1958. She dedicated her life to her teaching career, making a difference in the lives of children and their families until her retirement in 1995. In 1959, Ellen married her high school sweetheart, Essex E. Finney, Jr. beginning a warm and loving partnership of 61 years of joy and happiness. Together, they worked, served society and reared a family as they lived in many states including Pennsylvania, Michigan, Colorado and Maryland. Rosa Ellen was the proud mother of a son, Essex, III and a daughter, Karen Shelton. She was the grandmother of seven: William Quinn, Amber and Austin Shelton; and Ellis, Essex, IV, Sumaya and Emerson Finney. She was preceded in death by sisters Mary Morris, Ruth Harper, Nancy Jenkins, Seidah Shaheed (previously, Edith Eggleston), Estelle Miles and three brothers, Granville, Raymond and Franklin Bradley. She is survived by two sisters, Lillian Slayton and Maude Munford, and many adoring nieces and nephews. Family, friends and loved ones, please be diligent and adhere to the coronavirus guidelines as you mark the passing of Rosa, especially considering it has taken our sweet angel from us. In lieu of flowers, please donate online or by mail to Mount Zion Baptist Church, PO Box 650, Powhatan, VA 23139.