Jo Ann Finn

Josephine Ann “Jo Ann” Phillips Finn, 86, died Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at her home after a long illness. Jo Ann was born on July 5, 1940, in Tupelo, MS to Tony and Rosa Dichiara Phillips. She graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1958 where she was crowned Homecoming Queen in 1957. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Mississippi State College for Women in 1962. Jo Ann was a faithful and active member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Aberdeen for the majority of her life. She married John Joseph Finn on January 30, 1966.

Jo Ann taught elementary school for many years in Atlanta, GA, Waynesboro, MS and Aberdeen before retiring due to medical issues. She was employed as secretary for the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce for several years before she and John opened Finn’s Outdoor Products and Equipment in 1998. They later opened a U-Haul dealership and built and rented mini storages until they sold their business and officially retired in 2022.

Throughout her life, Jo Ann was an active member of various clubs and organizations. During her time at MSCW, Jo Ann was a member of the Lockheart Social Club, the Glee Club, the Newman Club and the Theater Guild. While living in Waynesboro, she was a member of the Women’s Present Day Club and organized the Waynesboro Sub-Debs Juniorette Club. She was chosen to receive the Bishop Service Cross Award for her service to the people of St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church and the diocese of Biloxi. In Aberdeen, she was an active member of the Junior Auxiliary, River View Garden Club, St. Francis Ladies’ Club, and a Girl Scout leader. For many years, she was an active member of the Red Hat Society and enjoyed her time dressing up and traveling with her many friends. Jo Ann served multiple terms on the St. Francis Parish Council, sang in the church choir, taught Sunday School classes, and enjoyed planning and decorating for church events with other parishioners.

In 2013, Jo Ann began a Ladies’ Canasta Group at Aberdeen Golf & Country Club, meeting each week to play cards and socialize, and was proud that this tradition continued for many years until her declining health prevented her from attending.

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 10:00 am at St. Francis Catholic Church in Aberdeen with Father Joseph Le officiating. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Tisdale-Lann Memorial Funeral Home on Friday, November 13, 2026, from 5:00pm - 7:00pm.

Survivors include two daughters, Rose Marie Suchanick (David) of Nashville, TN, and Mary Elizabeth Koehn (Eric) of Amory; two brothers, Sam Phillips of Columbus, Charles Phillips (Susan) of Tupelo, brother-in-law Leo Finn (Sandy) of Cullman, AL, four grandchildren, Katie Rappé (Austin), Brendan Koehn (Allie), Cameron Koehn (Cami), and Landon Koehn; one great-grandchild, James Matthew Rappé, and a great-grandchild due in December, Blakely Grace Koehn. Jo Ann is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be David Suchanick, Eric Koehn, Brendan Koehn, Cameron Koehn, Landon Koehn, and Austin Rappe’.

Honorary pallbearers will be her godsons, John Dichiara and Kevin Phillips, and the Ladies Canasta Group at Aberdeen Country Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband John on May 29, 2025, her parents, sisters-in-law Betty Phillips and Mary Heaney, and brother-in-law Robert Heaney. The family extends special thanks to Sandi Stevens at Lifeline Companions, and especially to her caregivers Annie Buchanan and Kay White for their exceptional care and compassion during the last few months.

Condolences may be shared with the family at tisdalelannmemorialfh.com