Finnis Lyman Zappa, 86, a resident of Homer, Louisiana, left this world on his final hunting trip Wednesday, May 22, 2024, to be reunited with his loved ones in heaven.  He was born in Athens, Louisiana, on November 27, 1937, and spent most of his life in Claiborne and Webster parishes. Finnis was a 1955 graduate of Athens High School where he excelled in basketball. After high school, Finnis attended Louisiana Tech University where he earned a Bachelors of Physical Education. His career as a coach was quickly interrupted for an opportunity as an inspector for the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant (LAAP), lasting until he retired in 1994. It was at the ammunition plant where he would meet the woman of his dreams, marrying her in 1968. They did life together, one hundred percent!  He was a country boy who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and a little game of poker, but his one true passion was to watch the ponies run. He was an amazing father to three beautiful children and was “Paw” or “Poppa Z” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He spent his retirement years enjoying the beach and RV’ing the country with the love of his life. He spent his final years watching sunsets on his beloved Lake Claiborne, where he would tell stories about how he used to cut hay on the land before the lake was made and asking the grandkids if they wanted to go fishing. Finnis was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church his entire life. He served as deacon for many years at the Minden Presbyterian Church and was a former Salem Memorial Cemetery board member.

Finnis is preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Eugenia Grace Zappa, his parents, Curtis Lyman and Ella Mae Zappa, two brothers, James Zappa and John Zappa. He is survived by his three children, Christopher Wade Maness of Athens, Louisiana, Wendi Zappa Plants and her husband Chris of Minden, Louisiana, Russell Todd Zappa and his wife Michelle of Benton, Louisiana; his eleven grandchildren, Christopher Wade Maness II and his wife Faith, Maegan Maness, Lauren Maness, Katelin Payne and her husband Matthew, McKenzie Easterling and her husband Nathan, Wil Plants, Audrey Plants, Jeweliette Plants, Gentry Zappa Plants, Savannah Zappa, and Isabella Zappa; his eight great-grandchildren, Ashley, Tessa, Trace, Graham, Emilia, Parker, Greyson and Aiden; two sisters, Sherline Carver and Elizabeth Haynes, both of Athens, Louisiana; along with a whole amazing “herd” of nieces and nephews who he dearly loved. 

Visitation was held at Rose Neath Funeral Home, 405 East 5th Street, Homer, Louisiana, on Tuesday, May 28, from 5-7. A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, May 29, at the First Presbyterian Church of Athens, 15274 Highway 9, Athens, Louisiana, followed by a graveside farewell at Salem Memorial Cemetery in Athens.

Pallbearers for the service included, Buzzy Buckner, Roderick Cook, Tommy Ellis, Richard Gandy, Clint Gantt, Weston Hardy, Bits Jett, Roland Liles, Ronnie Liles, Toby Page, Andy Pate, Chip Sims, Michael Wilson, and Keith Watkins.

The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation and heartfelt gratitude for the years of wonderful care provided by Dr. Clint Butler and his extraordinary staff, the Claiborne Memorial Medical Center in Homer, the Minden Medical Center Inpatient Rehabilitation, and the Willis Knighton Bossier Emergency Room nurses and doctors who cared for daddy in his final hours. Your care and professionalism made this journey bearable.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the First Presbyterian Church of Athens or the Salem Memorial Cemetery (P.O. Box 152, Athens, LA) may be made in memory of Finnis Lyman Zappa.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel  (318) 927-6110