Raymond Alfred Finney, Jr. was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on March 29, 1941 and died in Maryville, Tennessee on March 15, 2026.

He was married to the love of his life, Linda née Hunley, for 64 years. His greatest sorrow in death is that he will be temporarily separated from Linda.

His deceased parents were Raymond and Ruth Finney of Knoxville. They provided him an excellent home and solid, much-appreciated background. He regretted he did not adequately thank them for all they did for him before their deaths, but he hopes to correct this failure in Paradise.

He gratefully and lovingly acknowledges his four children, Deborah Sosna, Charles (Rebecca), and John, of Knoxville, and Raymond, III (now deceased). He also is proud of his two grandchildren, Alex Sosna (Zaina) of Knoxville and Taylor Sosna of Miami, Florida. He is also survived by his brother, David Finney (Donna) of Knoxville.

He graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (B.S.), and the University of Tennessee College of Medicine (M.D.). He completed a one-year internship at the John Gaston Hospital, Memphis, and a four-year residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at the University of Tennessee Memorial Hospital, Knoxville. He was certified in anatomic and clinical pathology by the American Board of Pathology. He also served two years in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

After serving several eastern Tennessee hospitals, he joined the medical staff of Blount Memorial Hospital, Maryville in 1976. He was chairman of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and laboratories at Blount Memorial Hospital at the time of his retirement in 1998. He also served as the Blount County Medical Examiner.

He served as state senator for Blount and Sevier counties 2004–2008.

He believed wholeheartedly in God in Three Persons. He most recently worshipped at RIO Revolution Church, Maryville, and Shomair Yisrael Messianic Synagogue, Knoxville.

He went to his grave thankful for all the kindnesses shown to him by his family, community, and God. He also went to his grave fully confident that he will be resurrected to life and full companionship with family and friends in Heaven. Death has no sting and Hades no victory (1 Corinthians 15:55–57) — Jesus vicariously removed the sting of death and defeated Hades.

Family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 PM, Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Smith Trinity Chapel. A Celebration of Life will follow at 3:00 PM. Condolences may be shared at Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.