Longtime FBC Brewton pastor John Finklea dies at 89

John Finklea, longtime pastor of First Baptist Church Brewton, died Nov. 3. He was 89.

A native of Monroeville, Finklea thought he would be a professional football player. But after he injured his knee in a college game, God directed him toward ministry. He married his high school sweetheart, Deloris, and graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

For 63 years, Finklea served as a pastor, including spending 25 years at FBC Brewton. He retired in 1999, and the church named him pastor emeritus. After retirement, he served 24 more years as pastor of a small country church in Sepulga and published two books.

Finklea is preceded in death by his wife. He is survived his son, Jeff; daughter, Lynn; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.