Aug. 16, 1930 – Jan. 2, 2020

 

NATCHEZ– Services for John Samuel Joseph Floyd Jr., 89, of Natchez, who died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at the Veteran’s Nursing Home in Jackson, will be noon Saturday at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. M.L. Agnew officiating.

Burial will follow at Midway Cemetery in Meadville, under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home.

Mr. Floyd was born Aug. 16, 1930, in Meridian, the son of John Samuel Joseph Floyd Sr. and Anna Rebekah Kamper Floyd.

He was the baby of seven children, and grew up in Meridian, where he was very active in sports in high school. He played football and boxed.

Mr. Floyd joined the Army National Guard Reserve during the Korean War where he was called into active duty and trained others how to operate tanks.

He attended Sierra College in California and received an associate degree and finished his collegiate career with a bachelor’s degree in recreation from the University of Southern Mississippi.  While attending USM, he met the love of his life, Joan Tumlin Delaughter.  They married June 5, 1957, and started their 62-year marriage in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. After their first child, Brenda Joy Floyd (Smith) was born, they moved to Natchez, where they gave birth to Joan Del Floyd (Wheat) and John S.J. Floyd III.

Mr. Floyd worked for the City of Natchez as recreation director of the Canteen, and later continued to work at the Multi-Purpose Center, working with the senior citizens of the community.  During this time, he ran The Natchez Gymnastics.  He retired from the City of Natchez at the age of 62 and continued to teach gymnastics for about 10 more years.

Mr. Floyd was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Brenda Joy Floyd Smith; one granddaughter, Jamie Alexandra Wheat; three brothers and three sisters.

John is survived by his wife, Joan Tumlin Delaughter Floyd; one daughter, Joan Del Floyd Wheat; one son, John S. J. Floyd III and wife, Tina; and son-in-law, Gary Smith; five grandchildren, John S. J. Floyd IV, Thomas J.D. Floyd, Amy Rebekah Walker, Anna Alysa Floyd and Katie Wheat; four great-grandchildren, Thomas J. Floyd, Easton G.S. Floyd, Mason W. Floyd and Aiden Perry; and a number of beloved nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be grandsons and friends.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.