James Norwood Floyd

On July 20, 2022, God called His long-time and faithful servant, James Norwood Floyd home to eternal rest with him. “Floyd” was born on January 3, 1932, in Fairmont, North Carolina, the eldest child of the late Marie White Floyd and Gosnold Norwood Floyd. He spent his formative years in Fairmont where he accepted Christ as his Savior and joined First Baptist Church.

Upon graduation from Rosenwald High School in Fairmont, he enrolled at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University. In 1953, he joined The United States Marine Corps and was assigned to the base camp in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he began twenty-one years of honorable and faithful active military service. As customary with Marine Corps procedures, he began to introduce himself by his surname, and everyone he met thereafter came to know him as Floyd. Early in his military career, he married and his first two children, Carolyn Lynette and James Dwight, were born.

Floyd deployed and bravely served our country during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Throughout his military career, he received numerous medals, commendations, and campaign ribbons including: Air Medal/with 4 Stars, Naval Unit Commendation/with 1 Star, Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal/with 1 Star, Good Conduct Medal/6th Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal/7th Award, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Parachute Insignia, Letter of Appreciation, Rifle Expert Badge/3rd Award, Pistol Expert Badge/3rd Award, and the Republic of Vietnam Parachute Insignia.

Floyd was also assigned to the Marine Corps Recruiting Station in Mobile, Alabama. During this assignment, he met Mobile native, Mary Catherine Knowles, the enduring love of his life and wife of 57 years. They joined in matrimony on June 21, 1965, in Mobile. Once Floyd retired from his military career on July 27, 1974, at the rank of First Sergeant, the couple settled together in Mobile to raise the three children born to their union: James Christopher, Michael Norwood, and Kimberly Elizabeth.

Floyd remained active in Montford Point Marines Association, Chapter 33 post retirement from active duty. Retirement from the Marine Corps afforded Floyd the opportunity to resume his studies. He received an associate degree in Sociology from Bishop State Community College. Thereafter, he earned a bachelor's degree in English with a minor in Psychology from Alabama State University. Floyd then embarked upon a second act career with both the Mobile Housing Authority and the Mobile County Inspection Services Department, working many years in this capacity before retiring.

Beyond his career achievements, Floyd was a stalwart contributor to the Mobile community. He was a man of faith, and he lived out his faith with his works. He was a dedicated long-term member of Ebenezer Baptist Church serving as a Deacon, a member of the Men’s Choir, and President of the Trustee Board, among other roles. Floyd knew where his help came from, and he kept his eyes looking to God, the source that allowed him to accomplish much in his long life. He was a loving husband and father as well as an excellent provider for his family who ingrained in his children and grandchildren to stay on course and never falter in their pursuits. He loved deeply and encouraged those he loved to care for each other.

Floyd’s commitment reached beyond his faith and his family. He was an active member of the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association for over 50 years. Floyd was also a past President and longstanding member of the Dragons Civic and Social Club.

When Floyd slowed down for relaxation, his hobbies were also fruitful. He enjoyed fishing and could in turn fry his catch into a mouth-watering feast for all to enjoy. And his marvelous green thumb kept him busy while keeping his home beautifully lush with anything green that he encountered. While Floyd himself had many gifts, the most treasured gift that he leaves is the footsteps of a good man: One who served God and his country and who had an unwavering love for and dedication to his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gosnold Norwood Floyd and Marie White Floyd, his brother, George Hollis Floyd, and his sister, Sallie Marie Floyd Lennon.

He leaves memories of life and love to cherish for his loving wife, Mary Catherine Knowles Floyd of Mobile, AL; Five Children: Carolyn Floyd-Robinson of Lumberton, NC, Dwight Floyd of Lumberton, NC, James (Yvette) Floyd of Nashville, TN, Michael (Poppy) Floyd of Tracy, CA, and Kimberly (Cory) Davis of Atlanta, GA; Fourteen Grandchildren: Kia (Antwan) McLean of Greensboro, NC, Jarvis Robinson of New York, NY, Nikki (Dwayne) Newborn of Greensboro, NC, Shonketa Floyd of Greensboro, NC, Christian Floyd of San Francisco, CA, Chandler Floyd of Philadelphia, PA, Peyton Floyd of Tracy, CA, Gabrielle Floyd of Nashville, TN, Micah Floyd of Tracy, CA, Matalie Floyd of Tracy, CA, Preston Floyd of Tracy, CA, Ari Davis of Atlanta, GA, Landon Floyd of Tracy, CA and Zoe Davis of Atlanta, GA; Six Great Grandchildren: Darion Floyd of Greensboro, NC, Jayna Newborn of Greensboro, NC, Austin McLean of Greensboro, NC, Araih McLean of Greensboro, NC, Everleigh Floyd of Tracy, CA and Tynsleigh Floyd of Tracy, CA; Brother: Gosnold Norwood “Butsy” Floyd of Fairmont, NC; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.