Cary Floyd, Jr. known in the community as "Sonny" died with his children by his side on Friday, October 20, 2017 at age 85 in his Conyers, GA home. Through the years he courageously battled many illnesses, finally succumbing to a combination of ailments including cancer.
Sonny was born in April of 1932 in Covington, Georgia to Cary Floyd, Sr. and Vanilla Wise Floyd. He often spoke of how hard he worked in the fields of his rural community. Unfortunately, his schooling only continued to the 8th grade. Yet his teacher saw his potential and entered him in the Spelling Bee which he won beating out much older kids. He often wondered what could have been if he had been able to further his education. Although his formal education ended, his entry into the "school of life" continued with his being drafted into the Army during the Korean Conflict from which he was honorably discharged in 1963. He worked for various companies, including Georgia Highway Express. Eventually, in the early 1970's, he accomplished having the only "Black-owned and operated business outside the city limits"! This was always an accomplishment of immense pride for him. Many folks in the Springhill community remember fondly playing pool and dancing at the Sportsman Paradise Club. He loved baseball. Ironically, Sonny passed away during October. October was the most exciting time of the year for him; the MLB playoff games and the World Series. Because of Sonny's tenacity and insistence that his kids attend the closest school, Wendell and Teresa integrated Porterdale Elementary school in 1966 along with Harold Vason. They were the only people of color in their classes for four years.
Sonny believed in the idea of marriage; he "tied the knot" on five separate occasions. He was preceded in death by Cheryl Reynolds Floyd in 2003, his wife of 10 years. Sonny is survived by Daughters and Sons-In-Law: Teresa and James Herbert; Gloria Ann and Jerry Greene; Sunji and Ian Hudson; Alicia and Ramon Griffin. Sons and Daughters-In-Law: David Bell; Wendell and Kathy Floyd; Antonio Earl "Tony" and Josephine Johnson; Quen Seats. Grandchildren: Belinda, Sedrick, Legale, Vic, Misha, Teresa Jamie "TJ", Imani, Cordero, Brandon, Taquawanna, Joeston. And a Host of Great Grandchildren. Sister, Atris Printup, as well as several Nieces and Nephews. Sonny is predeceased by sister Jessie Roseberry; Brothers: Ralph and S. T. Brown. Other family: Timothy and Samuel "Donnie" Floyd. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
A Funeral Service for Mr. Floyd will be held Thursday, October 26, 2017, 1:00 PM, at Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, 1215 Access Road, in Covington, with Ian Hudson officiating. Interment will take place at a later date at White's Chapel Cemetery, 2020 White's Chapel Road, in Conyers. Friends are invited to visit with the family at the funeral home, prior to the service on Thursday, from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
Visitation
OCT
26.
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (EDT)
Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home and Dogwood Hill Crematory - Access Road Location
1215 Access Road
Covington, GA, 30014
Funeral Service
OCT
26.
1:00 PM (EDT)
Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home and Dogwood Hill Crematory - Access Road Location
1215 Access Road
Covington, GA, 30014