Floyd H. Metts

Published 9:45 am Friday, June 12, 2020

Floyd H. Metts, 98, died Thursday, June 11, 2020, at Elmcroft in Oxford. A private visitation and funeral service will be held at Waller Funeral Home’s chapel on Saturday, June 13, 2020, with Reverend Robert Allen and hospice Chaplin Fletcher Moorman officiating.  A livestream video on the Waller Funeral Home Facebook page will begin at 2 p.m. for those who are unable to attend.

Born as the 9th child of 10 to the late Carrie DeShazo and Arthur Media Metts, First Lieutenant Metts served during World War II in the Army Air Corp. as a B-17 pilot. He was a four-time recipient of the Air Medal, and additionally, the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross. As the owner of Metts Hardware for 45 years, he never met a stranger. His knowledge of hardware was legendary. He served in many capacities at Yellow Leaf Baptist and later, Lafayette Marshall Missions. He was deacon-emeritus of First Baptist Church. Mr. Metts was a charter member of the Oxford Civitan Club, an active member of the Lafayette County Forest Association, and was a volunteer at The Pantry. 

Mr. Metts found joy in sharing his immense and detailed knowledge of Oxford and Ole Miss’s ancestry to all he encountered. He was a devoted father to his children and to his church family.  He was also preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Luna Mayfield “Cookie” Metts; four sisters; Zola Fudge, Thelma Metts, Gladye Fudge, and Sybil Hill; five brothers, Erbie Metts, Hardy Metts, Malcolm Metts, Karl Metts, Lloyd Metts; and one son-in-law, Steve McNeely.

Survivors include four daughters, Suzanne McNeely, of Decatur, Ala., Marsha Thomas, of Decatur, Ala., Melinda Smith, and her husband, Alan, of Oxford, and Amy Minford, and her husband, Bob, of Collierville, Tenn.; one son, Glenn Metts, of Jackson, Tenn.; eleven grandchildren, Travis Sammons, Kim Sammons, Ryan Minford, Alex Minford, Kevin Smith, Kathy Harrington, Nathan Smith, Adam McNeely, Elise McNeely, Daphne Ellis-Floyd, and Laura Lowder; eleven great-grandchildren; one great great-grandson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Metts can be made to The Pantry, P.O. Box 588, Oxford, MS 38655, or First Baptist Church, 800 Van Buren Ave, Oxford, MS 38655.

In honor of First Lieutenant Metts’ military service, the flag of the United States Air Force will be flown at Waller Funeral Home.

For additional information or to leave an online condolence, please call 662.234.7971 or visit www.wallerfuneralhome.com.