Joann Finley-Conner

Ms. Joann Finley Conner passed peacefully from this life in the afternoon of April 30, 2024, after a gradual decline in health.  She was surrounded and supported by her loving family during the last days of her life.  Joann was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi but has been in Evansville, IN for over 20 years.   In 1990, after raising her five daughters and a son, Joann attended Baytown Technical School to obtain her certification in Patient Care and worked for many families within her community.   

Joann was a person who loved her family and extended her life beyond her immediate family. She generously gave back to her community in various ways such as cooking for those in need and being there for others.  She attended several churches within the Evansville area and was a God-fearing woman who started her day by saying a prayer and giving God the Glory for another day while sipping on her coffee.  

She was preceded in death by her mother, Annie Gaston, father, Nathanial Finley, brothers, George, Sonny and WH and her son, William M. Conner Jr., granddaughter, JoAnna Ruth, and a host of other family members.    

Joann is survived by five children (and spouse): Joyce A. Ruth (Miami, FL), Emma Shelton (Killeen, TX), Shirley Conner (Evansville, IN), Brenda F. Hamilton (Horn Lake, MS), and Valentina Gibbs (Cindy) of Evansville, IN; twelve grandchildren    and sixteen great-grandchildren. Joann is also survived by her brother, Joseph Finley (Chicago, IL), and sister Kathrine Finley (Chicago, IL).