Obituary for Floid Merchant III
On Thursday, January 19, 2023, Floid Merchant III, 57, passed away in Greenville, SC, after a brief illness. Born January 20, 1965 he now joins his parents, Floid Merchant, Jr. and Eddie Mae Merchant, sister Gwendolyn Merchant, and brother Marvin Edward Lee in heaven. Survivors include brother Stephen Merchant and sister-in-law Sarah Merchant of Simpsonville SC, brother Darryl Lee of NY, nieces Raemona Merchant-Lewis and her husband Terrence of Charlotte, NC, Asabi Lee of N. Hollywood CA, Aubrey Porter of S. Pasadena, CA, Amanda Merchant of GA and nephew Corey Campbell of Charleston, SC, 4 great nieces and 2 great nephews.
Floid was a honorary graduate of Clifton Forge High School in Clifton Forge, VA. After graduation he participated in the Life Skills program where he formed many lifelong friendships. He worked briefly at JRE in Covington, VA and Opportunity Village in Las Vegas, NV. A Special Olympic Athlete who regularly competed at State Competitions in Richmond, VA, Floid amazed everyone with his softball, basketball, and bowling skills.
In addition to spending time with his friends and family, he enjoyed watching movies, especially his beloved Wizard of Oz, Grease, Batman, and Spider-Man. While living in Las Vegas, he loved playing Wheel of Fortune slot machines, drinking margaritas at the pool, and attending dances at the Opportunity Village campus. He also enjoyed dancing at his hometown Moose Lodge in the mountains of Virginia where he always ended the evening with a very special attention grabbing “fall”! Sweet and loving, he never met a stranger and greeted everyone with a hug and his very special “Floid smile”.
The family is planning a Celebration of Life for Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 11:00 AM in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home in his hometown of Clifton Forge, Virginia with Reverend Alfred Dearing officiating.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in his name to the Area 18 Special Olympic program. Checks must be written to Area 18 Special Olympics. 260 Shiloh Church Rd. Eagle Rock, VA 24085 Attention: Ruth Britt
Floid was a honorary graduate of Clifton Forge High School in Clifton Forge, VA. After graduation he participated in the Life Skills program where he formed many lifelong friendships. He worked briefly at JRE in Covington, VA and Opportunity Village in Las Vegas, NV. A Special Olympic Athlete who regularly competed at State Competitions in Richmond, VA, Floid amazed everyone with his softball, basketball, and bowling skills.
In addition to spending time with his friends and family, he enjoyed watching movies, especially his beloved Wizard of Oz, Grease, Batman, and Spider-Man. While living in Las Vegas, he loved playing Wheel of Fortune slot machines, drinking margaritas at the pool, and attending dances at the Opportunity Village campus. He also enjoyed dancing at his hometown Moose Lodge in the mountains of Virginia where he always ended the evening with a very special attention grabbing “fall”! Sweet and loving, he never met a stranger and greeted everyone with a hug and his very special “Floid smile”.
The family is planning a Celebration of Life for Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 11:00 AM in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home in his hometown of Clifton Forge, Virginia with Reverend Alfred Dearing officiating.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in his name to the Area 18 Special Olympic program. Checks must be written to Area 18 Special Olympics. 260 Shiloh Church Rd. Eagle Rock, VA 24085 Attention: Ruth Britt