Floyd A. Adams

Nov. 7, 1937 - March 2, 1999

Floyd Augustus "Buzzy" Adams was born on Nov. 7, 1937, in Jeffersonville, Ind., to the late George F. and Edna E. Adams. He departed this life. following an illness on Tuesday, March 2nd, at the Veterans Memorial Hospital, Louisville, Ky. Floyd attended the Jeffersonville public schools. During the 1950s era of civil unrests and desegregation, Floyd's older brothers suggested that he would like the educational environment in South Bend.

Following family advice and his brothers', influence, Floyd moved to South Bend in 1952 and lived with his brother and sister-in-law, William "Bill" and Jerda Ellis, and attended school with their daughters, Judith and Marcella Ellis. While at Central, "Buzzy," as he was so fondly known, was very active in Glee Club and the Barnstormers theatre group. He was an accomplished pianist, having been taught piano at an early age by his mother Edna, who was a music teacher. Floyd continued his musical education at the South Bend Conservatory of Music, studying music theory and organ under the tutelage of Roy Thornburg. Floyd was also very active in the youth department of the Grace A.M.E. Zion Church where he was the music director and organist, under the pastorate of Rev. Earl Peterson. He and his friends enjoyed traveling to Chicago whenever Rev. James Cleveland and Brother Thomas Dorsey were performing. These gospel music adventures inspired Floyd, John Charles Bryant, Leon Kennedy and Allan Smith to organize the South Bend Mass Choir in 1954.

These young men had a vision that the choir would grow in numbers, therefore space to accommodate the choir was going to be needed. Mrs. Elizabeth Hesiben, the music director of Pilgrim Baptist Church, was able to arrange for the choir to hold their rehearsals and first concert at Pilgrim. At many rehearsals you would find Rev. William Harris, pastor of Pilgrim Baptist, and Rev.

Bernard White, Sr., pastor of St. John Baptist, sitting in the pews nodding their heads and smiling their approval of The Mass Choir's effort. The Mass Choir was very well-represented by the youth choirs and individuals from all of the black churches, growing to be more than 100 voices. Following graduation from Central High School in 1955, Floyd returned to Jeffersonville and entered the U.S. Army.

He was honorably discharged in 1958. Floyd retired from the Federal Civil Service at Fort Knox where he worked as a computer room supervisor and operator. He also worked as an output/input specialist for the Humana Corporation in Louisville. He attended the Sullivan Business College, University of Kentucky Center at Fort Knox, and the Jefferson Community College in Louisville. Floyd joined the Wesleyan United Methodist Church at an early age and served as organist and minister of music for 41 years.

He also held several administrative offices in the church at the local, district and conference levels. He served as musician for the Louisville Gospel Choral Union for 35 years. Floyd founded the gospel singing group "The Gospel Descendants," and was musician for many other gospel groups in the Kentuckiana area. The church and music was always a part of Floyd's life and his failing health did not deter him from his quest to "make a joyful noise." On any given day while he was in the hospital you would find him at the piano playing, singing and uplifting those within the sound of his voice. Members of gospel.singing groups, choirs and individuals whose lives have been musically touched by Floyd joined together on Thursday, March 4th, at the Wesley United Methodist Church to sing in a musical tribute to his influence.

Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, George F. and Edna E. Adams; five brothers, Kenneth L., Warren A., Roland M., David O. and Donald D. Ellis; and by a sister, Anna J. Whitten.

Floyd is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, William "Bill" and Jerda Ellis; and by many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Services were held on Friday, March 5th, at the Wesley United Church. Interment was at Eastern Cemetery, Jeffersonville, Ind.

Source: Newspapers.com

10/28/2024 EJS