Joseph "Richard" Flood

ELM CITY – Joseph “Richard” Flood, age 84, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, after a five month long valiant journey with hepatocellular carcinoma.  Born at home on February 22, 1941, he was the son of the late Johnnie Bryant Flood and Anna Juanita Turner Flood in Edgecombe County, NC and was the eldest of six siblings.  He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Keturah Gail Tyson Flood; his in-laws, Clayton Victor Hotchkiss (Winifred Ruth Smith Hotchkiss) and Arthur Lee Tyson (Nina Hales Tyson), as well as by 13 uncles and aunts, brothers-in-law, several cousins and a great niece.

Richard served  in the Army National Guard of NC 1963-1969.  He retired from American General (formerly Home Beneficial Life Insurance company) after 34 years of dedicated service in the Emporia, VA, and Wilson, NC, areas.  Richard was an active member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Wilson, NC, for over 30 years.  He loved spending time with his friends and family, gardening and coastal fishing.  He spent most of his vacations at Oregon Inlet, NC.  He was a jack-of-all trades that could fix anything.  His passion was handing out Bible tracts with the hopes of leading people to the Lord. www.godsimpleplan.org or www.tbcwilson.com.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Karen Hotchkiss Flood; his sons, Anthony (Kelly) Flood and Brian (Holly Peele) Flood; his daughter, Crystal (Billy) Booth.  He was also blessed with seven grandchildren, Andrew, Jacob, and Calla Flood (Anthony and Kelly’s children), Nicholas and Keturah Flood (Brian and Holly’s children) and Lucas and Kayleigh Booth (Crystal and Billy’s children).   His siblings are Patricia Flood Joyner, Barbara Flood Powell, Jimmie (Dianna) Flood, Gracie Flood Evans (Ricky), Joni Flood Moss, and sister-in-law, Vicki Hotchkiss Westbrook.  He was an uncle, great uncle, and great-great uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.  Additionally, he is survived by an expansive family of beloved cousins.

A Funeral Service to celebrate Richard’s life will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1815 Airport Blvd W in Wilson, NC  27893 with Pastor Joe Shakour officiating. Burial will follow the service at the Williams Family Cemetery on Floods Store Road, Rocky Mount, NC.  A visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Richard’s memory to American Cancer Society McConnell-Raab Hope Lodge, 930 Wellness Drive A, Greenville, NC  27834 or Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1815 Airport Blvd W, Wilson, NC  27893.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.