Godfrey Lawrence Finch Sr.

Godfrey Lawrence Finch, 75-years-old, ascended to the pearly gates of heaven on Thursday, July 7, 2022. Godfrey was born April 26, 1947 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the first of three children of the late Horace Finch and Georgia Garside Finch.

Godfrey matriculated through Atlanta Public Schools where he graduated from David T. Howard High School in 1965. He was a proud member of the Howard High School Alumni Association and was active in spearheading many class events over the years, especially the opening of Howard Middle School in August 2020. He even participated in the construction walkthroughs to give his stamp of approval.

At 19, he met the love of his life at one of Howard High School’s dances. She was at the center of a conversation that had everyone around her laughing, so it caught his attention. He made his way over to the area to see who it was. As he inched his way closer to her, he mustered up enough nerves to ask her for her number. After many long, deep conversations, there was no denying that she was the one. After a couple of years of dating, they took their relationship to the next level and got married on October 18, 1969 right at dusk.

From Godfrey’s and Helen’s union, they were blessed with three children: April, Godfrey, Jr. and Justin. They were blessed to raise a niece that was more like a daughter to them than a niece, Tatnai. Although he loved his children, everyone around him knew that his granddaughters stole his heart. He was extremely proud of Amber Se’mone Furman and Justice Kristina Finch.

Godfrey spent over 30 years of his life as an Atlanta police officer. He moved up the ranks and became a lieutenant years before retiring. It was there that he gained another family with a host of adopted children that he held near and dear. Although his day job was with the Atlanta Police Department, his side gig was photography. He photographed many significant events during his career, but most memorable is his work at weddings. Many couples owe the pictorial history of their special day to Papa Bear (his affectionate photography nickname). Over the past couple of years, he passed on his photography skills to his granddaughter, Amber.

Ebenezer Baptist Church meant the world to Godfrey. A third generation Ebenezian, he was active in children and youth ministries, young adult ministries, the April Birth Month Club, and Marriage Enrichment. Godfrey was ordained as a Deacon in 1993. He loved his service in this capacity, extending care, love and support to persons and families throughout the church, particularly in their moments of bereavement and need. Godfrey also expressed the love of God through the music ministry, both as an instrumentalist and a vocalist. He embraced all music genres, and loved hymns, anthems, and sacred music. Godfrey sang baritone in the J.L. Roberts Jr. Men’s Chorus and the Ebenezer Church Choir, and he played the tuba in the Instrumental Ensemble. You would also see him walking the halls of Ebenezer on his way to one musical rehearsal or another, as music was his passion.

Godfrey also loved the community. One can hardly visit a corner of metro Atlanta where the name Godfrey Finch is not known and respected. Godfrey also used his musical skills to entertain and uplift others, particularly those at his beloved Helene Mills Senior Center.

Godfrey is preceded in death by his faithful wife, Helen and leaves a legacy of memories to his children April (Dalvin) Finch-Smith of Newnan, Georgia, Godfrey L. Finch, Jr. of Riverdale, Georgia, Justin M. Finch of College Park, Georgia, and Tatnai Whitehead (niece) of Union City, Georgia; grandchildren, Amber Se’mone Furman and Justice Kristina Finch; sibling, Phillip (Sarah) Finch; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, other relatives, and dear friends from Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Godfrey was also preceded in death by his father, Horace Finch, mother, Georgia Garside Finch, and Darrell Finch, brother. We will forever feel the void of the loss of our patriarch. His charismatic smile and sincere, loving heart will remain with us. For that, he will live in our hearts forever.

A memorial service for Godfrey will be held Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 12:00 PM at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 5755 Mallory Rd, College Park, GA.