Dr. Joycelyn Finley II

Passed 10/09/2021

UPCOMING SERVICE Service Oct, 30 2021 2:45p.m. Cooper Riverside Park

Dr. Joycelyn A. Finley, II transitioned peacefully on October 9, 2021 at the age of 64. She is survived by two adoring children, her son, David-El-Azzan (La'Tivia) Israel; daughter, Joycelyn Finley, III; two brothers, James (LaVerne) Finley and Karlos (Kelly) Finley; four grandchildren, and her partner in life & love, Samuel Biscoe. Born on October 29th, 1956 in Mobile, Alabama, Joycelyn Finley, II was the third of four children born to Dr. James Finley, Sr. and Joycelyn Finley, I. This loving family, assisted by Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic School and Church, taught Joycelyn, II to be FAITHFUL-COMMITTED-PROUD. After receiving her Ph.D from the University of Michigan in 1996, Dr. Finley went on to teach at Columbia University, Jackson State University, and Florida A&M University, before returning to the city of her birth where, until her final days, she worked as a professor for the University of South Alabama. At the time of her passing, Dr. Finley served as the Vice President of the Dora Franklin Finley African-American Heritage Trail of Mobile, the District 1 Representative for the Black Heritage Council Board, a member of Leadership Mobile Class of 2017, and as a member of the Delta Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Joycelyn Finley, II continues to be cherished by family and friends. She leaves us a distinguished record of achievement, documented by innumerable honors. Her legacy lives on through her profound contributions to the academic field of Cultural Diversity, in which empowerment, critical thinking, and good citizenship are cornerstones. Dr. Joycelyn Finley's exemplary Civic contributions stand as a testament to the Spirit of Service she embodied, and which lives on in perpetuity. It is to her eternal credit that the life of Dr. Joycelyn A. Finley, was a life in which family, career and public service were co-existent, in a Triune expression of LOVE. Dr. Joycelyn A. Finley II, FAITHFUL-COMMITTED-PROUD... to the end! A private ceremony will be held at Cooper Riverside Park on October 30th, 2021 at 2:45pm and will conclude with a Celebration of Life aboard the Perdido Queen Riverboat immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to University of South Alabama Joycelyn Finley Trailblazer Endowment Scholarship Fund. Office of Development 650 Clinic Drive, Ste. 1500 Mobile AL 36688 United States https://giving.southalabama.edu/finley mcarey@southalabama.edu (251) 460-6512