Elnora Barry Floyd

Elnora Barry Floyd, the third of five children of Louis and Magnolia (Dickerson) Barry, was born June 5, 1932, in Columbus, Mississippi. She was called home on September 13, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia. Elnora was raised in a close-knit, loving Christian family in Steens, Mississippi. At an early age, she became active in Military Chapel Methodist Church, where she was deeply involved in Sunday School, Bible Study, Vacation Bible School, the School of Christian Mission, the Mississippi Annual Conference, and the United Methodist Women’s missionary organizations. Her commitment and devotion were fueled by her mother Magnolia’s passion for change and activism. Elnora loved Jesus, and Jesus loved her. Mrs. Floyd began working as a domestic worker on Columbus Air Force Base. She later became a pioneer in integrating the garment factory in Caledonia, MS, working to ensure many other Black women joined her in the workforce. Mrs. Floyd left the garment plant and was instrumental in establishing Anderson Grove’s Lowndes County Head Start Program at the formerly all-Black elementary school—Anderson Grove Elementary School. She joined many other community members in the fight to restore the facility, then became the Social Services Director/Coordinator. In her role, she worked tirelessly to ensure that ALL children from low-socioeconomic backgrounds in the community were enrolled. She was also instrumental in helping many of the women she worked with at the garment plant to join her in the workforce of the Head Start program. The Head Start facility’s success eventually led to the construction of the Anderson Grove Community Center, which is now under the leadership of Lowndes County Parks and Recreation. Elnora matriculated through Military Chapel School, Union Academy High School, and graduated from R. E. Hunt High School in Columbus, MS. She continued her education through courses to maintain her social services certification. Life as a working mother of a growing family with her military husband, Johnnie Lee Floyd, was challenging, however their faith in the Lord and their worship at Brownlee United Methodist Church ensured the family persevered. Elnora was a caring, loving, generous, and STRONG woman. Her love and generosity extended beyond her immediate family. She was the caretaker for those needing a home as well as for both of her aged parents. She also helped feed many in the community through her deep freezer full of food and tireless work with Meals on Wheels. After retiring, Elnora became the caregiver for many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as for the children of friends. Hence, this is how she eventually relocated to Georgia, joining her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in worship at Cascade United Methodist Church. She also joined Cascade United Methodist Women. Elnora enjoyed cooking caramel cakes, cornbread dressing, pecan pies, sweet potato pies, and many other family favorites. She always made sure you had enough to eat or left with plates to take home. Mrs. Floyd loved to travel, especially with family or for family. For several years, she traveled to hear "Note-singing” within the Mississippi-Alabama area. She thoroughly enjoyed coordinating, attending, and traveling with family to attend family reunions across the United States. Her last family reunion was to Ohio in September 2023. Elnora Floyd was preceded in death by her husband, John Lee “Shorty” Floyd; her daughter, Barbara Sheretta Blunt; and her brothers, Billy and Otis Barry. She leaves behind cherished memories with her sisters and sister-in-law — Ollie Rose Baber of Seattle, WA; Arleen Barry of El Paso, TX; and Barbara (Willie) Kennedy of Moss Point, MS. She is also survived by her children — Kelly Floyd of Jackson, MS; Sherina Hughes of Fort Worth, TX; Patricia (Garry) Bell of Lithia Springs, GA; Albert (Deborah, deceased) Floyd of Odenton, MD; Alice (Eugene, deceased) Johnson of Marietta, GA; Ollie Floyd of Lithia Springs, GA; Adrian (Shownie) Floyd of Canton, GA; a daughter by love, Johnnie (Dan) Ranch of Steens, MS. Additionally, she is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her first great-great-grandchild. Condolences may be sent to Patricia Bell 2598 Chesterbrooke Dr., Lithia Springs, GA 30122. Elnora Floyd’s funeral service will be held on September 28, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Military Chapel United Methodist Church, 4349 HWY 12 E Steens, MS 39766 and will be officiated by Pastor Gross (retired, Cascade United Methodist Church). The service will be streamed online on the Facebook page of Hairston & Hairston Funeral Home.

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Elnora Barry Floyd

June 5, 1932 - September 13, 2024