Obituary of Reverend Floyd Gross

Reverend Floyd Gross, 99 of Bedford, Virginia, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2024 at Oakwood Health and Rehab. He was born on Wednesday, July 23, 1924 in Bedford County, a son of the late Irvin Gross  and Fannie Vaughn Gross.  He is preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings Ollie Toms, Lola Toms, John Gross, Royal Gross, Florine Wood, Helen Croft, Shirley Gross, and Buford Gross; wife of 44 years, Margaret Ray Gross; sons David and Samuel, and grandson Benjamin Gross.

He is survived by four of his children, Martha Williams, Jonathan Gross (Pam), Mary Scruggs (Ken), Timothy Gross (Anne), grandchildren, Tamara Scott (Nevin), Joseph Williams (Yacquelin), Emily Scruggs, Abby Schlatter (Simon), Claire Williams, Joy Scruggs, Andrea Scruggs, Julia Rolston (Cody), Jessica Gross, Caroline Gross, Michaela Gross, and great-grandchildren, Alana Tapley, Laila and Avery Scott, Easton and Oakley Williams, Brayden and Emma Scruggs, Eleanor and Jude Schlatter, and Sophia Rolston.

Floyd served four years in the United States Army during World War II. He traveled through North Africa and then into Europe, where his combat experience started in Italy. He spent about 3 and a half months at Anzio Beachhead; he also spent time in France and in Germany.  He was a truck driver and artillery gunner, achieving the rank of Tech 5 (current day Corporal). When WWII ended, he was honorably discharged and returned to the family farm in Bedford for several years. After this, he felt called into ministry and left for seminary at Tennessee Temple University where he met his wife, Margaret. Their ministry began in Woodstock, Virginia  at Humpston Baptist Church before their growing family made the move to Carlisle, Indiana where he pastored Temple Baptist Church for a little over 20 years. He finally returned to the family homeplace in Bedford in 1988. While no longer in full-time ministry, his exuberance to share the gospel never waned. Even in his final days, he faithfully shared the love of God with doctors, nurses, and anyone who came into his room to visit and continued to share Bibles with anyone who was receptive.

Floyd loved to write poems, sing hymns and play pranks or make jokes. His quick wit and humor will be remembered by many.

His favorite verses included John 1:1-16, Psalm 37:1-8 and 23-26, and Psalm 40:1-17.

His favorite hymn was No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus (lyrics listed below)

I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus,
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true. I would tell you how He changed my life completely; He did something no other friend could do.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus;
There's no other friend so kind as He.
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me; O how much He cared for me

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Oakwood Health and Rehab for their outstanding care and support throughout Floyd’s entire stay, specifically Kristin, Shelby, Adam and Ray.

Funeral services will be held at 1 PM on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford with Pastor Ross Gilfillen officiating.  Interment, with military honors by the U. S. Army Honor Guard will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 PM at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford on Monday, February 12, 2024.