Virginia (Jenny) Long Finney

Virginia (Jenny) Long Finney, beloved mother and grandmother, arrived peacefully on the wings of angels to her heavenly home on February 29, 2020. Jenny was truly one of God’s greatest creations and will be missed by many. Jenny was born February 19, 1929 to John William Long and Swanna Long of Winston Salem, NC. The family lived on a farm in the Smith Grove area of Davie County before moving back to Winston Salem. She joined the Salvation Army and played the cornet in the Salvation Army band and her high school band. She became a Sunday School teacher for youth and led Vacation Bible Schools. Jenny collected donations for the Salvation Army by playing the tambourine near businesses and was soon promoted to Sergeant Major for her outstanding performance. She graduated in 1947 from James A. Gray High School in Winston Salem, NC. Jenny met the love of her life, Richard Hal Finney on a blind date and they were married on June 14, 1947. They both became Envoys for the Salvation Army and filled in for the Officers when needed. They continued their journey in faith service for The Methodist Association, moving their family throughout the NC mountains ministering and running many churches while raising five children. Jenny and Hal later divorced but her strong will and hard work continued. She continued to raise the children still at home along with taking care of other children, working as a waitress and a cook to support her family. Jenny enjoyed spending time with her family most but also enjoyed traveling with friends. Jenny (aka “Nanny”) spent lots of time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who adored and loved her deeply. Jenny was preceded in death by her parents, thirteen siblings, her son Richard Hal “Dickie” Finney Jr. and ex-husband Richard Hal Finney. Surviving are her daughters Janet (Carol) Lineberry of East Bend NC, Sharon Wright of Shelby NC, Patricia Finney of Navarre Fl and Rebecca (Della) Hensley of Hickory NC; grandchildren Lee (Rhonda) Finney of Boonville NC, Pamela Lineberry of Clemmons NC, Julia (Joey) Hare of Yadkinville NC and David (Wendy) Wright of Shelby NC; great-grandchildren Cortland Phillips, Salem Finney, Arden Finney, Tatum Finney, Emma Hare and Gracie Wright. Funeral will be at 2:30 pm on Saturday, March 7, 2020 and family will receive friends from 2:00 – 2:30 pm prior to the funeral service at Gentry Funeral Home, 5108 US-601, Yadkinville, NC. Burial will follow at Charity Baptist Church, 1500 Charity Church Rd, Boonville, NC. She will be buried next to her son. The family would like to thank the staff at Mountain Valley Hospice for their wonderful care of Jenny. Everyone there made Jenny’s last week on this earth very peaceful. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Virginia Finney to The Salvation Army at give.salvationarmycarolinas.org or Mountain Valley Hospice at mtnvalleyhospice.org.