Gates of pearl opened and a choir of angels sang as God welcomed home his servant, Claude Done Floyd, 87 of Buena Vista, Virginia, on Monday, August 8, 2011.

Floyd, the son of the late Orie Lee and Bertha Coleman Floyd, passed away at the Salem Veterans Medical Center after battling a long illness.

He was born on March 31, 1924 in Rockbridge County.

An avid hunter and fisherman, he enjoyed spending time in the outdoors with his family and friends. One of his greatest joys was sharing memories of his childhood with his grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of fifty-four years, Ruth Wheeler Floyd; in-laws, Willie and Ethel Wheeler; brother, Emmett Floyd; and sisters, Florine Bates, Ernestine Painter, and Barabara Sandidge; grandson, Cary Floyd; and son-in-law, Wayne Garrett.

He is survived by four devoted children: daughter, Carol Garrett, and sons, Larry (Donna) Floyd and Gary (Linda) Floyd of Buena Vista, and son, Edward (Carolyn) Floyd, Sr. of Lexington; seventeen grandchildren; thirty great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; one sister, Eugenia "Huffy" Timpson of Big Pine Key, Florida; brother-in-law, Joe (Joyce) Wheeler, and sisters-in-law, Rachel Flint, Jean (Donnie) Holt), and Lee (Arval) Thompson; and a special cousin, "Tonkey" Coleman of Buena Vista, as well as a host of special friends including John Bush, Marvin Jenkins, Abraham Moore, Dean Parnell, Jerry Rogers, Paul Slagle, Bob Thomas, Steve Tyree, Calvin Watkins, Johnny Williamson and his church family.

Claude was a veteran of World War II during which he served in the South Pacific. He became a minister ordained with the Pentecostal Holiness Church in 1962 and was responsible for the founding of several churches. He most recently served as the minister at Glenwood Holiness Church in Natural Bridge Station. He served as a missionary in Vietnam in the late 1960s. Claude was a master pipefitter and a member of the United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry for over sixty-five years.

After retirement from the Union, he performed odd jobs for many individuals who appreciated his fairness and integrity. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Carillion Home Health, Americare Plus, caregivers Elizabeth Jacobs and Laurie Pelter, and the staff of the Veterans' Hospital. The memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, August 12, 2011 at The First Pentecostal Holiness Church, Buena Vista, with Rev. David Bain, Rev. Dennis Bradley, and Rev. W. A. Mills officiating. Interment will follow at Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends and loved ones from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 11, 2011 at Bolling, Grose, & Lotts Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Buena Vista, VA. Visitors are also welcome to call at the home of Carol Garrett, 630 East Fourteenth Street, Buena Vista.

Arrangements are being handled by Bolling, Grose, & Lotts Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Buena Vista, VA.