Mary Brown Floyd

Mary Frances Brown Floyd, affectionately called, “Mary” was born on November 8, 1926 in Kelly, North Carolina, to the late Etta and Charlie T. Brown. She was proud to be named after her two grandmothers, “Mary” and “Frances.” She was the second of six children born to that union. After losing a son, her dad lovingly called her “Frank” and someone said she was his favorite, however, her youngest sister, Vivian, said that was debatable.

She received her education in the North Carolina Public Schools System and graduated from Elizabethtown High School. After graduation, Mary relocated to Washington, D.C., to further her education and to seek employment. She and her best friends, Queen Johnson Ables and Sudie Johnson Price, lived in the popular area of U Street before they became settled in the city. She later graduated from Cortez Peters Business College and enjoyed the perks of living in the city. Mary became gainfully employed at the U.S. Department of the Navy and retired after 30 years of service. She later was employed by AARP for several years.

Mary’s early religious training began at Pleasant Hill Missionary Church in Kelly, where she was baptized at a young age. After marriage to the love of her life, James A. Floyd, they both joined the Tabernacle Baptist Church. She loved her church and was a faithful member of the Pastor’s Aid, Gospel Chorus and Women’s Ministry until health challenges prevented her from doing so.

Mary loved traveling and visiting family and friends with her late husband, James. She also was a great cook and family and friends always looked forward to her delicious meals, especially at various events. Her encouragement to others was genuine and a true source of quiet strength, always sending cards to those in need and remembering birthday and special events. Some people referred to her as being the “nice quiet lady,” however, she was not a pushover and always spoke her truth. Mary also exhibited her parent’s kind and sweet love by caring for many family members.

She peacefully transitioned to our Heavenly Father on January 7, 2022. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, James A. Floyd; her oldest sister, Lucille Foy; and three brothers: Charlie Brown, Jr., Nathanael Brown and Lander Harold Brown. She leaves to cherish her memories: four devoted children, Diana Floyd, Sharon Alexander, James Donald Floyd and Myron Derek Floyd; five grandchildren; Nikki Owens, Lisa Nguyen, Daryl Floyd, Myron Floyd, Jr., Janette Floyd; four great grandchildren, Kayla, William Jr., Skye, Julia, Aliha, and Jayce. She also leaves a devoted sister, Vivian B. Ortiz; a hosts of nieces and nephews, family and friends.