Biography: Ednabell Floyd was born on February 2,1923 in Beaufort County, South Carolina to the late William David Grant and Josiebell Miles. She was raised in the faith-based community of Beaufort and joined Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church where she was baptized at an early age.
While growing up in the south, she enjoyed nature and was somewhat of a little tomboy, always playing with her brothers. When she and the boys played baseball, it was said she couldn’t hit the ball, but was always the designated base runner because she was quick on her feet. As a little one, some of the stories told about her was that she was a “little terror”, always pinching everyone and running, or stepping on everyone’s toes. On the brighter side, she was said to be very smart in school and was frequently called upon for various recitals.
Ednabell came to New York City in 1941 where she attended evening classes at Wadleigh High School for Girls where she graduated. After taking various factory jobs, she became interested in retail. She was very personable and outgoing and eventually landed a sales associate position at Alexander’s Department Store where she worked for many years. She briefly married Leroy Jones and would later marry David Floyd in 1964 until his death in 2003.
Ednabell joined St. Luke A.M.E. Church under the pastorate of Rev. William Lee Freeman. She continued her membership in St. Luke under Rev. Albert A. Davis. When St. Stephens A.M.E. Church was organized in 1965, she was among the first members to join. She was indeed a worker for the Lord and an ardent supporter of the Church and her Pastors. She was a class leader and served on the Senior Choir as well as the Missionary Society. She was also a member of the Order of The Eastern Star. After being on Hospice at home for two years, she departed this life peacefully on July 12, 2022.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Priscilla Polite, and her brothers Henry Polite and James Cleo Miles. She leaves to mourn her passing her two children Leona Johnson and David Floyd Jr., her three grandchildren Carl, Michael, and Cori, eight great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren, two nephews, and a host of family and friends.