On Saturday evening, July 11, 2026, James Carl Floyd, Sr. of Mullins passed away peacefully at his home. Through his journey of 96 years, he touched many lives with his wisdom, humor, and an unwavering spirit of perseverance. He was born in Horry County on August 31, 1929, the son of the late Benjamin Pinckney Floyd and the late Penny Gore Floyd.

James grew up in the Galivants Ferry community, one of seven children. Following his graduation from Aynor High School, James attended Spartanburg Methodist College and obtained a B.S. degree in Secondary Education from Newberry College. James entered the United States Air Force, where he honorably served his country, including deployment during the Korean War. After his military service, he returned to his beloved Aynor High School, where he began a career as a dedicated teacher and head coach of the basketball team. This was a dream job, as he himself had played on the Aynor basketball team that brought home a state championship. He also taught across several other communities including Fairmont, Fair Bluff, and Lake View.

Driven by a desire to serve others and with a growing family, James made a career change. He returned to school and earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from the Medical University of South Carolina. For the next 54 years, he worked as a trusted pharmacist in Mullins and surrounding communities. He was known for his genuine care and compassion for every patient who walked through the doors. He didn’t just fill prescriptions, he dispensed wisdom, comfort, and friendship. He along with his wife, Jean, owned and operated Central Drugs for many years. He enjoyed hosting the Men’s and Women’s Coffee Club in the lunch counter of the store, where people gathered and many problems were solved. After selling the store, he continued to serve others at various pharmacies and eventually retired from Aynor Family Pharmacy.

Outside of the pharmacy, James was a devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Christian and friend who lived a full life. He was first married to Jean Grantham Floyd and together they had two children before her untimely death. He later married Mildred Wise Floyd and together they shared many wonderful years. He had a passion and the patience for gardening which earned him the nickname, “The Garden Whisperer”. He lovingly tended his garden, but what he grew meant little compared to the joy he found in giving it away to family, neighbors, and friends. James loved spending time with his family, catching and eating fish and growing sweet potatoes. He attended Mullins First Baptist Church, where he was a member of the Who-So-Ever-Will Sunday School Class.

In addition to his parents and wives, James was predeceased by two brothers, Austin and Francis Floyd; three sisters, Lucille Floyd, Mary Lois Richardson, and Nell Bullock, a stepson, Russell Wise, and Jean’s parents, Captain Hugh and Kathleen Watt.

He is survived by two children, Jimmy Floyd and his wife, Lisa and Kathy Floyd Bullock and her husband, John; four grandchildren, Madison Turner (Josh), Carlee Floyd (Josh), Grayson McQueen (Brady Bethea) and Chase McQueen; three great-grandchildren, Jasper, Abel, and Kase; a sister, Mildred Smoak; a stepdaughter, Rhonda McIntyre, his longtime pharmacy tech who was like a daughter, Wanda Murrow and caregiver Mark Brown.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m., Thursday, July 16, 2026, in the Fellowship Hall of Mullins First Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday in the sanctuary of the church. Interment will be at Cedardale Cemetery.

If you would like to remember James, the family suggests donations be made in his memory to Epworth Children’s Home, P.O. Box 50466, Columbia, South Carolina 29250 or at www.epworthchildrenshome.org or to Mullins First Baptist Church Christian Life Center, P.O. Box 443, Mullins, South Carolina 29574.

An online guestbook is available at www.mearesfh.com.

Meares Funeral Home is serving the family.