The congregation at Fountain City Presbyterian Church is remembering David and Susan Lloyd the best way they know how: by giving back to the community.
The Lloyds were longtime members of Fountain City Presbyterian. Both were deacons and Stephen Ministers. Mrs. Lloyd was a former church secretary, volunteering with the Knoxville Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Fountain City Ministry Center after retirement. Mr. Lloyd, an engineer and master woodworker, poured his efforts into Habitat building crews, volunteering with the electrical crews every Tuesday and Thursday, and traveling with Presbyterian Disaster Relief in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Susan Lloyd
The Lloyds passed away within eight weeks of each other last fall, Mrs. Lloyd to a sudden illness and Mr. Lloyd to cancer on the couple’s wedding anniversary.
Just before Mr. Lloyd’s passing, church members asked him if they could raise funds for a Habitat house in memory of him and his wife. Church member Robin Rohwer, who knew the Lloyds for 20 years and attended Sunday School with them, said Mr. Lloyd smiled when he heard the plan.
“The ball started rolling, we raised the funds, and now the site’s been chosen, the family’s been chosen,” said Rohwer. “It will be our 14th house over the last 23 years.”
On April 21, volunteers from the church will descend on the home site for Blitz Day, an all-out workday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., to raise the roof in memory of the Lloyds.
“It was the perfect, natural, obvious choice, something that meant so much to them,” said Rohwer. “They had so much compassion, wanting to help people, and a house is such a substantial, lasting thing that will help someone get going and get stabilized.
“It was a big part of their retirement years to give back.”
David Lloyd
Bill Keeler, who volunteered with Mr. Lloyd for Presbyterian Disaster Relief, said Mr. Lloyd made 10 trips to the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Of the Lloyds, he said, “They had talent and compassion, and their hearts went out to those in need.”
“This tribute is so fitting for two so dedicated to serving others,” said Rohwer. “We will swing our hammers, and a family will get a new home. We all miss Susan and David, as they certainly left their mark on our hearts and community. This is a perfect fit to honor them.”
To find out how you can help with Blitz Day in honor of David and Susan Lloyd, call the church office at 865-688-2163.