Sylvia Jean Finklea

With loving hearts, we celebrate the life of a remarkable woman Sylvia “Jean” Finklea. Whose presence brought beauty, warmth, and joy to all who knew her. On Thursday, March 19, 2026, Sylvia Jean transitioned and let go of the hand of the people she loved the most and took the hand of her eternal savior. 

Sylvia Jean Finklea, affectionately known as “Jean”, was born on November 6, 1951, in Hobgood, North Carolina to the late Haywood and Viola Spruill. Sylvia Jean was one of fourteen children born to this union. On September 11, 1982, she married the love of her life Darfus Finklea, and they were happily married for 42 years and raised 7 children.

During her career in healthcare, UMDNJ and Horizon Blue Cross and Shield of New Jersey. After retiring in 2001, she relocated with her family to Jacksonville, Florida to enjoy the warm weather and spend time with her grandchildren.

She was a woman of elegance and grace known for her love of perfumes, make up, clothes, and all things elegant. However, her greatest joy was her family. She loved family dinners with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved the laughter and their very presence. They brought her immeasurable joy. She cherished every moment and loved hosting her New Jerey family when they came to visit.  She left no stone unturned with her unwavering hospitality. She poured out love and received love.

She will be remembered by her kind spirit, her love for family, her loving heart and the beauty she carried inside and out. Though she will be deeply missed, her memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Haywood and Viola Spruill; her Husband Darfus Finklea; her son, Jamarr Finklea; her son, Christoper Spruill; and her siblings, Linwood Spruill, Gene Spruill, Irving Spruill, Bobby Spruill, Viola Williams, Hattie McNeal and Betty Phillips.

She leaves to cherish her memories daughters, Sarhonda Finklea-Frett and Hassana Finklea; sons, Malik Finklea and Lamar Finklea; daughter-in-law, Shakira Finklea; eight grandchildren, Dominique Walton (Shanty), Aiyanna Taylor, Kayla Frett, Khalil Frett, Jania Finklea, Jahlil Finklea, Jahir Finklea and Amir Finklea; five great-grandchildren, Alanna Harris, Morgan Walton, Jahir Finklea Jr., Bryson Frett and Ja’laya Finklea all of Jacksonville, Florida; four siblings, Willie Spruill of Irvington, New Jersey, Frances “Maxine” Wade of East Orange, New Jersey, Billy Spruill (Daisy Louise) of Victorville, California, and Katie “Ree” Battles (Vernon) of Union, New Jersey.

Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Southside is serving the Family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sylvia Jean Finklea, please visit our floral store.