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Being the eldest great grandchild I spent most of my time with my great grandmother Floydell.  I loved it on Wenda Street.  She had a beautiful garden full of all kinds of vegetables and fruit trees were abundant. My great grandfather loved pecans so they had a big pecan tree along with other nuts as well.  I remember the field of wild blackberries across the pasture and getting so sick from eating way more than my fill.  Looking back at it now, I realize my great grandmother managed to sew her country roots in a corner of the big city to feel more at home.  I should affectionately expect nothing less. 

Of course as a child I never knew her struggles.  Whether they were before or after she was saved. By the time I came along she and my grandfather, deacon Dudley, always seemed to have more than enough by any standards I could measure. She was always sharing whatever she had and I rarely heard her tell someone no or turn them away.  She would make a way out of no way if she had to.  I only knew her good deeds (which were many) and by my observation she was classy bougie and aht aht...don't you dare.

There was a time before Floydell Clay became Floydell Dudley. The story starts reminiscent of Ms.Sophia's "hell no" scene in the Color Purple. Only, Floydell was able to grab her baby girl Elizabeth and hop on the midnight train to Houston before she was rounded up.  I remember we used to go back to that sleepy town and it never failed to remind me why she left.  It was in that town where I first experienced blatant racism but I'll share that story with you all another time. I'm just glad my great grandmother knew she was bigger and better than that place.  

I don't know what her aspirations were when she set out for Houston in 1942 but I have to believe she accomplished them by being a successful Black woman who owned a beauty shop and bakery in the 1950's-1970's. I wonder if my great grandmother had any idea she would light an entrepreneurial fire in her great granddaughter that no one would ever be able to dim. Even before I started elementary school she was a constant example of seeing a woman who looked like me, going to work for herself and being her own boss.  Lord I hope she knows I am forever grateful for that spark. 

I was five years old drinking coffee and eating oatmeal cookies at the domino shack when my great grandfather had a heart attack. My great grandfather was retired and had also done well for himself by Black folks standards in those days. I don't know what it was, but I remember my great grandmother kicking things into high gear after he died. She also retired and would be sure to say it was their union that allowed her to be such an abundant blessing to others in her daily life. She would dedicate the rest of her life to missionary work. 

My great grandmother was the most Godly person I have ever met. I'm not saying that just because she was my grandmother. Anyone who ever knew/met her would tell you the same thing.  She was a saint. When I get to heaven, the first thing I am going to do after my talk with Jesus is look for Patron Saint Floydell.

Floydell was a woman with attention to detail.  She would never forget what made you happy or what made you whole.  Then she would do that as often as she could. Her discernment was also strong and she never got it wrong when it came to what parts truly needed healing.  Whether she laid hands during Monday night prayer service or included your name in her bedside talk with God, I'm mighty grateful for a praying grandmother. She could single handedly handle the sick and shut in list. Along with prayer, she had tinctures, balms, elixirs, fresh garden baskets and a pound cake from scratch if need be.  

It's been 30 years since grandmother was laid to rest. I remember she used to say, "I just want to hear God say well done my good servant well done". Now it is time for me to grow beyond where I have been and share the wellness of my great grandmother with y'all because she did do it well.  When you visit and shop with Floydell  & Co I want you to feel comfortable enough to rest as if you were in my great grandmother's garden. Know that her discernment did not skip a single generation and we never intend to forget what makes you happy and what makes you whole. Then we hope to do it as much as we can.