Read John Samuel Joseph Floyd's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

John Samuel Joseph Floyd

Natchez, MS, USA

August 16, 1930 - January 2, 2020

Aug 16, 1930 - Jan 2, 2020

Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Photo

John Samuel Joseph Floyd II
August 16, 1930 – January 2, 2020
John Samuel Joseph Floyd, age 89, passed from this life on Thursday, January 2, 2020. Born to Anna Rebekah “Mama Beck” Kamper of Kentucky and later Enterprise, Mississippi, and John Samuel Joseph Floyd, Sr. of Troy, Alabama, “Papa John” as he was known to family was the youngest child of two brothers and three sisters.
John grew up in Meridian, Mississippi until the age of 17 when joined the Army National Guard where he served as Tank Commander. Having proven himself safe and responsible, he later was hired to drive a gasoline tanker truck to replenish gas stations. This job helped pay for his studies at Cierra College where he received an Associates of Recreation degree. He finished his education with a Bachelor’s in Recreation with a minor in Physical Education from the University of Southern Mississippi.
While at USM, John was a member of the track, football, and boxing teams, and the athlete soon met Joan Delaughter of Franklin County. Joan had attended Mississippi College in Clinton, but fate brought her and John together while she was studying at USM for her Bachelor’s in Education. She ended her studies at Copiah-Lincoln College with a Master of Elementary Education. Studies now complete, John and Joan married in 1957 and moved for jobs to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where they decided it was time for a family, beginning with Brenda Joy.
Wanting to return to his home state, John landed a position at the Natchez teen center, and so in the latter part of 1958, the new family moved to Mississippi where he served as director for the next 20 years. He enjoyed putting his PhysEd experience to use, teaching kids the nuances of the trampoline, hosting dances, letting them learn to play pool, and hone their artistic talents such as photographic composition and developing. John and Joan also expanded their own family to include Brenda’s sister, Joan Del, followed by baby brother John III.
Continuing to use his education and background, John also worked part time as a gymnastics instructor. Here, he trained youth of various ages in safety, form, and tumbling, and would organize field trips to competitions throughout Mississippi and Louisiana. Always willing to share his expertise, John later left the teen center and handed over his gymnastics responsibilities to become Recreation Coordinator of the senior center in Natchez, ensuring residents were well equipped for inevitable aging issues while keeping them fit and entertained with events, crafts, and projects.
In his pastime, John loved to fish, more for the peace and quiet than for any hope of catching anything. However, he was adept in the kitchen in the event any fish threw themselves on his hook. John also harnessed his artistic and technological interest in photography, spending much time on the computer designing collages and other special effects of family members. Throughout his life, he had a passion for perfecting every new interest and skill.
John will forever be remembered for his cheerful and jovial demeanor as well as his loving, caring, and generous character, whether with family, friends, or total strangers. His enthusiasm and zeal for everything in this world was contagious, and when you met him, you always walked away with a similar sense of excitement and positivity.
John is preceded in death by three sisters, Cody, Dot, and Josephine; two brothers, Ronnie and Bob Sam; and daughter Brenda Joy Floyd Smith. He is survived by his wife Joan Delaughter Floyd, daughter Joan Del Floyd, and son John III; granddaughters Amy Floyd Walker, Katie Wheat, and Anna Alysa “Aly” Floyd; and grandsons Thomas Jefferson “TJ” and John IV. Visitation will be held at Laird Funeral Home in Natchez, MS from 10 to 12 Saturday, January 4 with the funeral at 12.

Order a beautiful PDF you can print and save or share.

Get the PDF

Get notified when new photos, stories and other important updates are shared.