Basil Orlando Finnell

Basil Orlando Finnell, 84, a life long resident of Bradley County, passed away Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at a local healthcare facility. He was a member of the Union Grove Church of Christ in Cleveland and was retired from DuPont in Chattanooga with thirty two years of service. He was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves and a life long supporter of Tennessee Vols football. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific aboard the aircraft carrier, U.S. Hancock from 1943 to 1946. Basil was the youngest of the eleven children of the late Oscar E. and Rose Sandidge Finnell. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Shelia Finnell; his brothers, Hubert, William T, Earl, Pledger, French, Robert, and Wallace; his sisters, Mona Owen, Gladys Williamson and Lela Goode; several nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his wife of forty five years, JoAnn; his daughters, Linda Daugherty of Cleveland and Sherry Ann Finnell of Greenville; his son, Steve Finnell and his wife, Houria of Oakley, California; his stepchildren and their spouses, Cindy Johnstone (Pat) of Nashville, Karen Taylor (Sid) of Knoxville and Joey Harbison (Shelia) of Cleveland. His seven dearly beloved granddaughters, Stephanie Goddard (Andy) of Knoxville, Jennifer Hammonds (Chuck) and Meghan Callahan (Matt) all of Cleveland, Amanda Cox of Ocoee, Tascha Harbison (J.T. Reed), Cindy Taylor and Betsy Taylor (Matt Grimes) all of Chattanooga. Five great grandchildren who brought him great joy, Charlie Hammonds, Shelby Hammonds and Scotland Callahan of Cleveland, Marshall Goddard of Knoxville and Taylor Grimes of Chattanooga; sister-in-law, Peggy Smith of Ooltewah and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 12, 2010 in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Minister Steven Hall and Wayne E. Finnell officiating. His family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, August 12, 2010 at the funeral home prior to the service. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Finnell family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.