The Eddie H. Finnell, Sr. Scholarship

Eddie H. Finnell, Sr. was a pillar of the Washington-Wilkes community. He was born and raised in Washington, GA and spent his life serving his community.

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Mr. Finnell was educated in the public schools of Washington and graduated from Wilkes County Training School in 1959. After his graduation, Mr. Finnell went on to attend and graduate from Albany State College in 1964 with a degree in History. He did further study at Fort Valley State College, the University of Georgia, and Georgia Southern University. He taught in the Wilkes County School System for 35 years. During his career he taught social studies, served as assistant principal during integration, and taught CVAE (Coordinated Academic Vocational Education) and advised the related student organization, Vocational Opportunities Clubs of America (VOCA). Mr. Finnell’s life story was similar to many of his students’ stories. Because he understood his students, he could relate to them. He served as a role model for many. Mr. Finnell worked daily to make sure his students understood what it would take to succeed in life and the world of work. He wanted his students to become productive citizens…citizens who were taxpayers and not tax burdens.

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Mr. Finnell started working at the age of 11 because his family needed financial help. His first job was shining shoes at Mr. Chat Ware’s barber shop. He then worked at T. A. McLendon’s funeral home. Mr. Finnell did yard work and a variety of other tasks for Mr. & Mrs. Henry Standard. He always used his earnings to help his mother buy food for the family and buy his own clothes. 

 

Mr. Finnell’s early life and work experiences helped him determine that a postsecondary education would provide him career opportunities that would allow him to earn enough money to elevate himself out of the poverty that he faced as a child and young adult. After graduating from high school, Mr. Finnell wanted to go to college, but could not afford it. So, Mr. Standard gave Mr. Finnell a job at PET Milk. He worked at PET Milk for a year, saving money for college. After a year, he went on to college and then came home every summer to work at PET Milk to earn money for college.

 

In an effort to continue Mr. Finnell’s legacy of helping others and investing in the future of our community, our mission is to support other Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School (W-WCHS) alumni who have a financial need with the attainment of their educational and career goals.