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Etta Ree Walker Floyd was born June 19, 1925, to Walter Curtis and Pearlie (Brown) Walker, and was a child of the depression, which affected her outlook on life. She passed from this earthly life into the presence of her Lord and Master on January 1, 2021.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Howard Eli Floyd, Sr., sons, Howard Eli Floyd, Jr. and Craig Floyd. She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Ella Mae Smith, Beulah Jane Jones, Walter C. Walker, Jr., Evelyn McWilliams, Gwendolyn Wesbrooks and grandson, Brian Floyd.
She is survived by her daughter, Rita Floyd Purser (Eugene) and grandchildren, James C. Floyd, Selina Floyd Prichard (Brian), Louis Floyd (Monika), Scott Floyd, Kim Purser Germany (Joe), Chad Purser (Stephanie), Ian Floyd (Claire) and Tyler Floyd (Emily). She is also survived by a number of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom she deeply loved.
Etta was a member, since childhood, at Corinth Baptist Church, Magee, Mississippi. The family appreciates the love and consideration given her over the years by her church family, and pastor, her nephew, Jay Wesbrooks.
Etta is known for her kind, generous spirit, as well as her independence, having been widowed when she was 48. She was recognized on Veteran’s Day, 2012, by the City of Magee as a surviving widow of a World War I Veteran. She worked at the first Hudson’s store in Magee, when it was located on Main Street. She later worked at Magnetec and retired from there in 1987. She had a green thumb and loved working in her beautiful yard, among nature. She had many talents, including quilting and song writing.
The family is deeply appreciative of the loving care given to her by her physicians, nursing personnel and staff at Bedford Care Centers in Mendenhall and Petal.
Some of the songs she wrote over the years are “Raised by Amazing Grace,” which she wrote while thinking of her Uncle Bowers Hankins rocking his and her Aunt Esther Hankins’ children and singing “Amazing Grace” as he rocked them; “Mama’s Place of Prayer” in recognition of the prayer life of her mother, Pearlie Walker, and while remembering a story about her grandfather, Joseph Buchanan Walker, and his habit, after working in the fields, of going to a particular place in the woods, at the edge of the fields, and thanking God for his family and the blessings of that day. “Mama, Don’t Forget” was written after the loss of her youngest child, Craig Floyd, who died in 1991. She wrote “Help Me Talk To Jesus” with her son, Howard Floyd, Jr., who was also a songwriter.
She wrote “Guardian Angel” and wrote jointly with her son, Howard, “When Our Paths Cross Again,” both of which she requested to be play at her funeral.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday, January 3, 2021, at Corinth Baptist Church, Magee, MS from 1:30 pm until 3:00 pm with the service at 3:00 pm. Interment will follow in Corinth cemetery with Rev. Jay Wesbrooks and Rev. H. B. Floyd officiating.
Arrangements are entrusted with Tutor Funeral Home of Magee.
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