Our Beloved Floyd

Our beloved Floyd Stanley Jr. was born June 9, 1937 to Floyd and Almary Stanley (both who proceeded him in death) in Greenwood, Mississippi.  He was the fifth of eleven children.

Floyd as the second oldest boy took great pride in caring for his family. He departed high school early to work on the farm his family lived on. He was known as a stellar and swift worker, often competing with family and friends to see who could accomplish the most. He enjoyed baseball, swimming, and raising chickens. As a young boy, he bought a crate of baby chicks through the mail to raise and sell, after hearing a radio ad. This was just the spark of his entrepreneur future that lied ahead.

He relocated to Chicago in 1956, where he met and married Mary Louise Eason in 1963. To their union five children were born. Upon his arrival to Chicago, Floyd delved into the bustling markets and work opportunities that Chicago offered. He worked at the Cook County Morgue, drove a cab, worked for US Steel, and the Cook County Recorder of Deeds, before setting out on his own business ventures. His first venture was a barbershop, that then lead to a number of small businesses.

Floyd Stanley Jr. embodied the definition of entrepreneurship. He was passionate and dedicated to inspiring others to be their best and to help others. His love for business startups included everything from providing furniture and home appliances, fast food, to painting, roofing and tuck-pointing services to businesses and members in the community. His devotion to Fifth City, a Chicago West Side community development organization, was recognized by the late Mayor Harold Washington, and even Oprah Winfrey during a documentary of the transformational opportunities Fifth City strived to create, for small business owners to make a difference in their community. His love for his dry cleaning and laundromat business was iconic in the West Side community of Chicago, and created a foundation to serve others and to make a positive change. No matter what the challenge or circumstance, from community fundraising, to educational development, he was dedicated to finding a way to make things work. Many still refer to him as Mr. Stanley who could fix anything and the generational love and respect he gave to their families and the community will never be forgotten.

In addition to being a businessman, Floyd had many hobbies he enjoyed, such as studying and discussing history and politics. He loved to read and share all of his knowledge he gained with friends and family. Often taking the floor at family gathering to discuss and debate. Just about every Sunday morning for years, he loved to go to Maxwell Street in the South Loop, to visit the flea markets to buy bargain items for his family and businesses. Anything he took interest in, he was passionate about and studied. But his greatest passion was his family. He took great pride in helping pioneer his Mother and siblings to Chicago. Always wishing for everyone to succeed and flourish.

Floyd believed in the Lord and transitioned to heaven on December 29, 2021. He was proceeded in death by his wife, Mary Louise Stanley; sisters: Louise Stanley, Carrie Lee Robinson, Carrie Belle Blackshire, and Geneva King; brothers: J.D. Stanley and Walter Stanley, and half-sister, Ines Davis.

Floyd leaves to cherish his memory, his children: Gary (Joyce) Stanley, Teresa Stanley, Floyd III (Betsy) Stanley, Eric (Lisa) Stanley, and Folayan Oni Stanley; 9 grandchildren: Lunden, Constance, Juel, Peyton, Cameron, Kayden, Avery, Mariah and Floyd IV; 1 great grandchild: Chloe; brother: Lonnie Stanley; sisters: Magnolia (Jesse) Moore, Katherine Howard, Ruby (Walter) Smith; sisters-in-law: Christine Toney, Bernice Adams and Wordie Dixon; brother-in-law: Leon Eason, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.