Floyd Gwyn Kiziah, 92, of Grace Chapel, passed away on October 5, 2023, after a dogged battle with lung cancer. Floyd was born on November 10, 1930, in Grace Chapel, NC, the first son of Fred and Ella (Gibson) Kiziah. Floyd spent his childhood in the tobacco fields of Caldwell County where he regularly found mischief with his brothers and cousins.

In tenth grade, Floyd met the love of his life, Ruth Walsh, when she sat behind him in study hall at Granite Falls High School. Floyd would later write in Ruth’s yearbook, “As far as a girl can go in personality, prettiness, and cuteness, really, I don’t think you can be beat.” They were married on September 11, 1949, at his Mama and Daddy’s house with just over $12 to their name.

Over the next decade, Floyd served in the Navy, earned a degree in Business Administration under the G.I. Bill, ran a Piedmont Plumbing Supply warehouse in Fayetteville, opened Falls Avenue Grocery in Granite Falls, and had two children: Marcia in 1950 and Gwyn in 1954. In 1958, Floyd and Ruth moved to Florida and in 1960, they rounded out their family with the birth of their daughter, Patricia.

In 1974, Floyd established Best-Way Plumbing in Hollywood, FL, which he later passed along to his son, Gwyn. A thriving family business, Best-Way is still going strong under the leadership of Floyd’s grandson, Robbie, and with the help of his hardworking great-grandson, Louis. In the early 1990s, Floyd and Ruth moved to St. Augustine, FL where they opened two antique shops: Grandma’s Attic and later Antique Corner. In 2000, they sold both shops, moved back to Grace Chapel, and began a restful retirement on their beautiful property overlooking Lake Hickory.

Just kidding. Always the businessman, Floyd decided in 2010 to open another shop – Antique Corner Mall – off of Highway 321 in Hudson. He and Ruth remained involved in its daily operation well into their 90s with the help of good and loyal employees who felt like family.

Of all of the blessings in this world, nothing brought Floyd more joy than his faith, his family, and garage sales. Floyd was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. He was also a darn good businessman, plumber, inventor, and purveyor of antiques.

Floyd is survived by his beloved wife of 74 years, Ruth Walsh, as well as his children Marcia (Louis) Esposito, Gwyn (Phyllis) Kiziah, and Patricia (Mark Chin) Kiziah; his grandchildren Frankie (Gina) Esposito, Robbie (Crystal) Esposito, Melissa Esposito, Matthew (Katie) Kiziah, Emma (Michael) Humphries, Lauren (Travis) Roque, Noelle (Brad) Peacock, Caroline (Chris) Dofort, and Chloe Chin; 16 great-grandchildren (and one on the way!), and one newborn great-great-granddaughter, Alaïa. Floyd is also survived by his sister, Ethel (Roy) Alexander, his brother, Cecil Kiziah, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins whom he loved dearly.

Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Johnny, his cousin Rader, and his beloved grandson, Justice Michael Kiziah Chin. The family is comforted in knowing that Justice was the first to greet his Papa in Heaven with a million-dollar smile and a hug as long as the Catawba River.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, Oct. 14, beginning at 1 PM at Amazing Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4648 Grace Chapel Rd in Granite Falls. The funeral service will begin at 2 PM with Pastor Tony Bradshaw officiating. Burial will follow at St. Matthews Lutheran Church Cemetery with military honors.

Memorial gifts may be made to Amazing Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church or Amorem Hospice Care, 1721 Enon Rd, Valdese, NC 28690.

I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14-2, 3

An online guestbook and obituary can be found at www.mackiefh.com.

Mackie Funeral Service and Cremations is assisting the family.