James E "Sony" Floyd

Deacon James Edward “Sonny” Floyd was born on January 29, 1950 in Clayton, Alabama to the late Edna Pearl Floyd-Whigham and Charlie Massey. 

Sonny accepted Christ as his lord and savior at an early age, joining New Mt. Zion Baptist Church where he remained a faithful member until his demise. During his tenure, he was inducted as deacon and served as chairman of the deacon board for many years.

He attended Salem Church School and Rosenwald School during his primary years and graduated from Barbour County Training School in 1968. He matriculated at Enterprise State Junior College in Enterprise, Alabama where he majored in engineering. While there, Sonny made history as one of the first African-Americans to attend the college, breaking chains and blazing the path for others.

In 1982, Sonny met and courted the woman who would become his best friend and lifelong partner. On April 2, 1982, Sonny was united in holy matrimony to Erma Rose Deloach, the love of his life, with whom he shared nearly 43 years of marriage.

Sonny began honing his woodworking and master carpenter skills at a young age. He worked as a lead roofer and general contractor for several years, until he decided to branch out on his own, starting up Floyd’s Contracting. Floyd’s Contracting became renown for its impeccable work, from small projects to million-dollar homes. Sonny’s “other profession” was a local meteorologist. His knowledge of the weather and “what was coming” was always spot on.

Sonny brought much joy and laughter to his loved ones and friends. He was known for his great storytelling, jokes, and his strong love of family gatherings and the food that accommodated those gatherings. In other words, Sonny had a deep appreciation for “good” food. Sonny also enjoyed fishing, hunting, racing, traveling, and collecting memorabilia, souvenirs, gadgets, and hats. Another pastime he enjoyed was chatting over his CB radio under the handle ‘Wild Turkey”.

He is preceded in death by his loving mother, Edna Pearl Floyd-Whigham; his father Charlie Massey; sister, Katheryn Whigham-Glanton; brothers, Ezzard “Shake” Massey and Ray Massey; father and mother in-law, James and Frances Deloach.   

He leaves to cherish his memories: his devoted and loving wife Erma; his stepfather, Grady Whigham Jr.; his brothers Charlie F. Whigham, Larnie B. (Delores) Whigham, Larry (Julianna) Whigham, Carl Whigham, and Maurice Massey; his sisters Edna L. Whigham, Gradean Hicks, Patricia (Walter) Myers, Marilyn (James) Mixon, and Patricia (Willie) Thomas; sister-in-law Betty Johnetta Bogan; brother-in-law James A. Deloach; brothers-in-arm Allen Anglin, Johnny Helms, and Horace “Map” Guilford; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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