Floyd E. Chesney

Mr. Floyd E. Chesney, age 89 passed on Monday, June 25, 2018 at Westfield Rehabilitation And Health Center, Sanford, NC. 

Floyd Edwards Chesney of Sanford, North Carolina, went home to be with the Lord on June 25, 2018 after a brief illness.

Floyd was born on October 10, 1928 in Sanford (Lee County), North Carolina to the late Ernest and Elva Lambert Chesney. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marcell Chesney; step-mother Marie Chesney; three brothers:  Hoyle Chesney, Bernis McIver, and Ernest Chesney, Jr.; two sisters:  Mary Frazier and Helen Dorsett.  Floyd was promoted to the fifth grade before he had to drop out of school to work the fields to help his family.  Raised in a God-fearing home, Floyd was raised to love, honor and respect God.  He attended church in the Gulf until he relocated to New York.

At the age of 17, Floyd boarded a bus to 42nd Street in New York City.  Not knowing where to go, Floyd stayed with his cousin Bernice for one night, found a room for rent on the Grand Concourse and was able to obtain a job working as a dish washer between the hours of 5 pm to 2 am.  Seeing what a hard worker he was, he was promoted to the position of cook.  During the day he would pass the time where his friend Lee McClure worked and eventually was offered a job there (McCoy's Manufacturing).  In 1950, he met Marcell Haynes while riding the subway.  After a long courtship, they were married on May 30, 1958.  Together they raised five beautiful daughters.

Floyd was a hard working man.  He did upholstery work for 40 years, part-time custodian for 20 years, and had his own personal moving company in the summer time.  He would move families from their Manhattan apartments to their bungalow homes in Rockaway Park and summer homes in the Hamptons every year.  After retiring in 1990, Floyd along with his wife returned to his hometown of Sanford, North Carolina.

He enjoyed playing cards with his “corner crew” at the Enrichment Center, checkers, and pool on Sunday nights!  Floyd would enjoy going to visit those in the convalescent homes and hospitals, just to bring a smile to someone’s face.  He was a member of the Sanford Lodge #101, where he enjoyed fellowship with the brothers.  He looked forward to the fish frys and annual dances, especially when his children could come and support him.  That gave him so much joy to have a reserved table filled with his girls sitting around him.  Floyd was blessed to take many trips during his retirement:  Jamaica, Aruba, Florida, Las Vegas, California, and Hawaii.

Floyd is survived by his five daughters:  Patricia Thomas, Cynthia Phillip, and Sheila Chesney-Harrison all of New Jersey; Juliette Moorer of Rockaway Beach, New York; and Eve Grant of Richmond, Virginia; five grandchildren:  Regen Marcell, Tiffany, Gregory Jr. (“Mookie”), Dominique, and Jalen; one great grandson:  Johari; sons-in-law:  Al Phillip, Michael Harrison, Gregory Grant, Sr. and Ronald Moorer; four sisters-in-law: Luedell O’Neal, Mattie Mae Lightsey, Edith White and Cleanna Haynes; two sisters:  Mary Chesney and Catherine Marsh; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends – one special friend and caregiver – Hazel Roberts.

Arrangements By: Knotts Funeral Home, Sanford