The world lost a unique and loving spirit when Wyona Flinn went home to the Lord, Thursday, April 23, 2015. She was told her name means “shining star,” which is fitting.
Because of her kindness and humble warmth, her shining personality always drew people near to her and made them want to get to know her better.
She was the daughter of the late J. B. Jackson and Isabell Jackson, and was born on February 8, 1938 in Greenville, Alabama. She moved with her family to Akron, Ohio in 1944.
She was united in marriage to her husband, the late Willie James Flinn in 1960, and to their union was born three loving daughters.
As an Air Force wife, Wyona traveled extensively to Texas, Mississippi, Michigan and Nebraska before returning to Columbus, Ohio.
She came to know and love the Lord and became a member of the First Church of God under the leadership of Senior Pastor Timothy J. Clarke.
Wyona had a beautiful spirit and voice. Not surprisingly, she loved to belt out songs of praise, as well as standards by Chubby Checker, Aretha Franklin, Aaron Neville and Brenda Lee. She enjoyed hunting for antiques and hidden treasures, cooking, gardening and taking long, leisurely walks with her dog Abigail (Abbie).
She is preceded in death by her parents J.B. and Isabell Jackson, her six brothers, Willie Jackson, Eddie Jackson, J.B. Jackson, Earl Frank Jackson, James Jackson and Jessie Jackson. Also her grandson Solomon has already gone home to the Lord.
She leaves to mourn at her passing her daughters, Joyce Ann Flinn, Patti Ann Flinn, Teresa Ann Flinn, and son-in-law Mugambi Karanja from Columbus, Ohio, along with her only sister, Stella Jackson of Akron, Ohio. She also will be missed by a host of nieces and nephews and cousins and an assortment of other relatives.
All who knew her will miss her ringing laughter and the sparkle in her eye that was as bright in her later active years as it was when she was young and vigorously energetic.
Even in this harsh and challenging world, she always remained a child at heart.