George Floyd remembered as 'gentle giant' at North Carolina memorial service

Four former Minneapolis officers are charged in connection to Floyd's murder.

June 6, 2020, 5:47 PM

Hundreds of mourners mostly dressed in all white and wearing face masks gathered in Raeford, North Carolina, on Saturday to celebrate the life of George Floyd, who died late late month shortly after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was seen on video kneeling on Floyd's neck.

The public memorial service was held Saturday at the Cape Fear Conference B Headquarters, an affiliate with The United American Free Will Baptist Denomination.

Floyd was born in North Carolina.

PHOTO: A picture of George Floyd and flowers are set up for a memorial service for Floyd, June 6, 2020, in Raeford, N.C.
A picture of George Floyd and flowers are set up for a memorial service for Floyd, June 6, 2020, in Raeford, N.C.
Ed Clemente/AP

Isaac Floyd, the uncle of George Floyd, sang a song at the service before George's stepmother Ruby Floyd gave remarks, according to the service's program. Local officials, like Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin and Reps. G.K. Butterfield and Richard Hudson, also spoke.

"George found a passion in bringing about change in communities by supporting the good work of everyone such that they can reach their fullest potential," said Floyd's obituary, which was read in silence.

Throughout Rev. Dr. Christopher Stackhouse Jr.'s eulogy, he referenced the "gentle giant" as "George Floyd, Perry Jr. is what they called him, who ate banana and mayonnaise sandwiches."

"If there was four brothers that threw a police officer on the ground, and put -- one of them put their knee in his neck, that officer’s neck, and kill him on the video, while the other three stood around and flexed, there would have been a national manhunt for all four of them," Peterkin at the service.

PHOTO: The casket carrying the body of George Floyd is brought inside for his memorial services at R.L Douglas Cape Fear Conference B - The United American Free Will Baptist Denomination in Raeford, North Carolina, June 2020.
The casket carrying the body of George Floyd is brought inside for his memorial services at R.L Douglas Cape Fear Conference B - The United American Free Will Baptist Denomination in Raeford, North Carolina, June 2020.
Ed Clemente/POOL/EPA via Shutterstock

The first of three memorial and funeral services for Floyd drew an immense crowd in Minneapolis on Thursday. Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy.

Minneapolis was where George Floyd was seen on a bystander's cellphone video face down on the pavement with Chauvin's knee on the back of his neck as he pleaded for air and for his mother who died two years ago.

Floyd, 46, died on May 25. Two separate autopsy reports gave conflicting causes of death, but agreed the manner was homicide.

PHOTO: Hundreds of cars line up as mourners arrive for the public viewing of George Floyd, who died in police custody in Minneapolis, in the town where he was born in Raeford, North Caroline, June 6, 2020.
Hundreds of cars line up as mourners arrive for the public viewing of George Floyd, who died in police custody in Minneapolis, in the town where he was born in Raeford, North Caroline, June 6, 2020.
Jonathan Drake/Reuters

Chauvin, Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng were all fired from the Minneapolis Police Department and charged in connection to Floyd's murder.

Lane and Kueng, who were rookie officers, held down Floyd's back and legs, respectively, but allegedly tried to stop Chauvin from pressing his knee into Floyd's nefck. Thao stood nearby as the handcuffed Floyd died within 8 minutes and 46 seconds, according to court documents.

The next public memorial service is expected on June 8 in Houston, where George Floyd had previously lived, from noon to 6 p.m. local time. The final memorial will be on June 9 at 11 a.m. where former Vice President Joe Biden is expected to be in attendance. Both Houston services will be held at The Fountain of Praise on Hillcroft Avenue.

PHOTO: Zsa-Zsa, left, and LaTonya Floyd, sisters of George Floyd, are embraced by family at the private viewing and memorial service outside the Cape Fear Conference B Church in Raeford, N.C., June 6, 2020, during a memorial for George Floyd.
Zsa-Zsa, left, and LaTonya Floyd, sisters of George Floyd, are embraced by family at the private viewing and memorial service outside the Cape Fear Conference B Church in Raeford, N.C., June 6, 2020, during a memorial for George Floyd.
Ryan M. Kelly/AFP via Getty Images
PHOTO: Reverend Raymond Johnson consoles mourners as they line up for the public viewing of George Floyd, who died in police custody in Minneapolis, in the town where he was born, in Raeford, North Carolina, June 6, 2020.
Reverend Raymond Johnson consoles mourners as they line up for the public viewing of George Floyd, who died in police custody in Minneapolis, in the town where he was born, in Raeford, North Carolina, June 6, 2020.
Jonathan Drake/Reuters
PHOTO: This undated handout photo provided by Christopher Harris shows George Floyd.
This undated handout photo provided by Christopher Harris shows George Floyd.
Christopher Harris via AP
PHOTO: LaTonya Floyd, sister of George Floyd, wipes away tears while speaking to the media about her dead brother, before a memorial in the town where he was born, in Raeford, N.C., June 6, 2020.
LaTonya Floyd, sister of George Floyd, wipes away tears while speaking to the media about her dead brother, before a memorial in the town where he was born, in Raeford, N.C., June 6, 2020.
Jonathan Drake/Reuters
PHOTO: Zsa-Zsa, left, and LaTonya Floyd, sisters of George Floyd, walk to the private viewing and memorial service together outside the Cape Fear Conference B Church in Raeford, N.C., on June 6, 2020, during a memorial for George Floyd.
Zsa-Zsa, left, and LaTonya Floyd, sisters of George Floyd, walk to the private viewing and memorial service together outside the Cape Fear Conference B Church in Raeford, N.C., on June 6, 2020, during a memorial for George Floyd.
Ryan M. Kelly/AFP via Getty Images
PHOTO: Family arrives at the private viewing and memorial service for George Floyd outside the Cape Fear Conference B Church in Raeford, N.C., on June 6, 2020, during a memorial for George Floyd.
Family arrives at the private viewing and memorial service for George Floyd outside the Cape Fear Conference B Church in Raeford, N.C., on June 6, 2020, during a memorial for George Floyd.
Ryan M. Kelly/AFP via Getty Images
PHOTO: A group of demonstrators gather at a makeshift memorial honoring George Floyd, at the spot where he was taken into custody, in Minneapolis, June 2, 2020.
A group of demonstrators gather at a makeshift memorial honoring George Floyd, at the spot where he was taken into custody, in Minneapolis, June 2, 2020.
Lucas Jackson/Reuters

Related Topics