Hundreds of people gathered Friday in mourning and celebration of the life and legacy of Ambassador Ricky D. Floyd Sr., lead pastor of Pursuit of God Transformation Center in Frayser.
The funeral service, held at Greater Imani Church, was filled with memories, hymns and prayers as congregants came together to pay their final respects to a man who gave much of himself to the City of Memphis and its people.
Services began with a morning visitation, where family, friends and parishioners of Pursuit of God reflected on the impact of Floydโs teachings and leadership. Known as a mentor, advocate and devoted servant to the city, Floydโs work extended beyond the walls of his church and into the heart of the Frayser community and the rest of Memphis.
The service was tinged with sorrow over the cause of 58-year-old Floydโs death. He was shot to death March 12, following a dispute with a person he did not know.
Yet the overarching theme was one of celebration โ of a life well-lived, of a leader who touched countless lives and of a man who dedicated himself to uplifting others. Those in attendance were encouraged to carry on his mission and continue his work in faith and service.
Dr. Bill Adkins, pastor of Greater Imani Church, spoke of Floydโs unique approach to ministry. โHe had a brilliance about him โ out-of-the-box ministry concepts, willing to go where others would not dare to go,โ Adkins said of Floydโs work in the community. On the night of his death Floyd was passing out religious pamphlets to patrons at a bar/restaurant.
โHe had a brilliance about him โ out-of-the-box ministry concepts, willing to go where others would not dare to go.โ
Dr. Bill Adkins, pastor of Greater Imani Church, on Floydโs unique approach to ministry
Speakers at his funeral recalled Floydโs contributions to violence prevention in Memphis. Over the years, he spearheaded initiatives against community violence in Frayser and beyond. In 2020 he served as interim president of the Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board and was honored with the Federal Bureau of Investigations 2020 Directorโs Community National Leadership Award.
Floyd also founded The Husband Institute Inc., a boys-to-men mentoring program. He and his wife Pastor Sheila Floyd, started the School of Marriage Enhancement.
The numerous elected officials, religious leaders and community leaders at the funeral underscored the breadth of Floydโs influence. Memphis Mayor Paul Young recalled Floydโs role in keeping the cityโs leadership grounded. He presented the family with a proclamation, urging attendees to honor Floydโs memory by continuing his work.
โWe got to pick up the mantle, yโall,โ Young implored. โThese young men, these young people in our community, theyโre crying out for help, and he was right there listening. We have to do the same thing and not let his memory be in vain.โ
Memphis City Councilwoman Rhonda Logan compared Floydโs life to that of Jesus, recognizing his role in challenging societal norms to bring about change. โI Googled Jesus’ reputation in the community in the Bible. What came up was, ‘Complex, marked by both adoration and opposition as he challenged the established norms and traditions,’โ Logan said. โAnd that was Ricky Floyd. He challenged the status quo.โ
One of the most touching moments came from Bishop Charles Bond, who shared an anecdote about a flower delivery mix-up. Flowers meant for a new bank mistakenly had been sent to a small church in Mississippi, while funeral flowers were delivered to the bank. The card on the flowers received by the church read, “Congratulations on your new location.” Bond passed on the message to his friend Floyd. โCongratulations on your new location,โ Bond said, affirming his belief that Floyd was now in a better place.
Pastor Sheila Floyd was the embodiment of strength and grace as she honored her husbandโs memory.
โYou devoted your life wholeheartedly to God and His people.You poured out your heart in service โ first to your family and then to everyone God paced in your path โฆ You were a trailblazer, proclaiming the gospel boldly and fearlessly to all you encountered,โ Sheila wrote in her husband’s obituary program.
As the service concluded, Floydโs family expressed their faith in God’s plan and vowed to continue his ministry and uphold his vision of a stronger, safer and more united Memphis.
In addition to his wife, Floyd is survived by his children, Pastor Brennan Hill, Christina Floyd, and Ricky D. Floyd, Jr., three grandchildren, his mother Ruthie Foster and father Eddie Hall.
