Gracia Johnson Floyd

Gracia Elizabeth Johnson (Meyer) Floyd, a lifelong Hoosier and civic leader, passed away October 18, 2025. She was born in Indianapolis November 14, 1947, to Emsley W. Johnson, Jr. and Bonnie Jean Johnson Weaver. Gracia lived a life marked by faith in Christ, love for her family, and service to her community. Her name means “gracious”, and she embodied grace, warmth, and wisdom.

She is survived by her husband James A. (Jim) Floyd; her children Charles Johnson Meyer (Karen) of Carmel; Gracia-Jean Darling (Ed) of Westfield; Mary Floyd Turner (Scott) of Bartlesville, OK; and Beth Floyd of Broomfield, CO. Her grandchildren are Allison Meyer, Sarah Darling, Ana Darling, Hannah Turner Denton (Hudson), Abigail Turner, and Jack Gerding. Other family members include sister Martha Susan Batt (William) of Indianapolis, niece Susan Batt of Indianapolis, nephew Robert Batt (Michelle) of Middleton, WI, their children Annika Batt and Peter Batt, and sister-in-law Sally Floyd Salmon (Thaddeus – deceased) of Lexington, KY. Gracia’s happiest times were with family in Indianapolis, at Lake Wawasee, in Bonita Springs, FL, and while traveling.

She graduated from Broad Ripple High School in 1965 and earned a B.A. in history, political science and English from Butler University in 1969. Christian faith was central to her life. She found peace and joy through prayer, Bible Study Fellowship, Circle of Friends Group, and Great Banquet alumnae. After bravely battling multiple myeloma for fifteen years, she reached remission. She was enthusiastically active in community service and philanthropy.

She was the first female President of the Board of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site where she was named an Honorary Trustee. She was the first female Trustee and President of the Arthur Jordan Foundation that she served 27 years. These favorite activities combined her interests in history, financial investments, and community work. Gracia served in leadership roles with Second Presbyterian Church, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Junior League, Auxiliary of Early Learning Indiana (formerly Day Nursery), Butler University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Kappa Alpha Theta alumnae and Foundation, Washington Township Schools, Hanover College Parents Association, and task forces for Conner Prairie and Methodist Hospital Foundation. She was a member of the Indiana State Museum, Society of Indiana Pioneers, and Daughters of the American Revolution.

Visitation will be Thursday, October 30th, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Leppert Mortuary – Nora, 740 East 86th Street, Indianapolis. Additional visitation will be Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at Zionsville Presbyterian Church (ZPC), 4775 West 116th Street, Zionsville. A Celebration of Life will follow at 11:00 am at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Future Presidents of America Program of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, IN 46202 (www.futurepresidents.us) or to Indianapolis Children’s Choir, 9111 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46250 (www.icchoir.org).