Floyd Curran Keith

Floyd Curran Keith died peacefully on April 18, 2010, at home surrounded by his loving family, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer. Floyd was born in Birmingham, Alabama on January 29, 1944, and lived in various Southern cities before his family settled in Chattanooga, Tenn. in 1956. He graduated from Central High School in Chattanooga and attended University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Floyd is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence M. Keith and Sarah Brown Keith and his sister, Njoni Robin Keith. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Gayle Forester Keith; daughter, Kim Keith (Watts) Holt and her children, Michael, Jacob and Jordan Watts; son-in-law Keith Holt and his children, Tyler and Erin Holt; daughter-in-law, Liza M. Keith of Kingsport, Tenn. and her children, Kristina and Bryan Keith; sister, Ede White, of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Henry and Dixie Saeger, of Chattanooga and James and Joy Leport, of Memphis; also several nieces and nephews.
Floyd began his adult working life as a news reporter and columnist for the Chattanooga NewsFree Press and the Chattanooga Times. He worked briefly for the Memphis Commercial Appeal before accepting a position with National Hardwood Magazine as a writer, photographer and sales representative. During his years with this magazine he traveled throughout the Eastern United States and Canada. On leaving NHM, Floyd joined the staff of Baillie Lumber Company, Hamburg, N.Y. In 2001 Floyd opened Keith Hardwoods, Inc., a successful hardwood lumber brokerage firm, which closed in 2009. He was a founding partner in The K Group, LLC and co-owner of Roanoke Rehabilitation & Wellness, Inc.
Throughout his life, Floyd was actively involved in sports, both as a participant and a spectator. He coached Dixie Youth and Little League baseball and recreational league football for boys. He played high school football and earned a scholarship to University of Tennessee at Martin. However an early injury prevented him from completing the scholarship requirements. Floyd was an avid golfer, although he always claimed only hacker status, and a devoted fan of the University of Tennessee Volunteers.
Floyd was a member of the Management Team for Journey Church, a position that he counted as a great honor. He was a past member of a local Kiwanis Club where he held the office of President for two terms. Floyd was a member of the Appalachian Lumberman's Club and Hidden Valley Country Club, where he will be missed on the golf course especially on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Floyd was a lover of people and fun. He never met a stranger (for long) and he never missed an opportunity to socialize. He loved a good story, whether listening or telling, and never saw a reason for fact to stand in the way of a good yarn. The family wishes to thank the many, many friends who have assisted in so many ways during Floyd's illness. A special thanks to the congregations of Journey Church and Shiloh Baptist Church who have faithfully prayed for Floyd. He will be greatly missed by the ladies of Roanoke Rehabilitation & Wellness who thought of him as their dad too and his friends at Healthcare Contract Resources. Thanks to everyone at Blue Ridge Cancer Center and Gentle Shepherd Hospice who were unfailingly thoughtful and caring during this most difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, Floyd and his family suggests that contributions be made to the Journey Church Building fund at 3574 Read Mountain Road, Roanoke, Va. 24019.
A celebration of Floyd's life will be conducted 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 22, 2010, at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road, by the Rev. Mike DuVall. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at Simpson Funeral Home, 366-0707.