Zelma Penton Floyd

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Zelma Penton Floyd, age 87, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away peacefully at her home on September 1, 2026.

Zelma was born February 21, 1939, in Pensacola, Florida, to Charles Anderson and Arvie Malone Penton. The oldest of four children, she was gifted with a musical talent from an early age and excelled at the piano. At just 14 years old, she began playing every Sunday at her church, a gift she continued to share throughout her life through hundreds of weddings and special events.

Zelma excelled in school and was especially proud that she was voted “Friendliest” every year at Pensacola High School. She attended Judson College in Marion, Alabama, for two years before graduating with honors in Psychology from the University of West Florida. She went on to earn a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Troy State University and a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama.

Zelma loved her career with the Department of Human Resources, particularly her work with Child Protective Services, before becoming Director of the department. Her professional life reflected a deep commitment to the welfare of children and families, but for Zelma, helping others was far more than a career – it was a calling. She especially cherished her years serving as a board member of the Children’s Home in Dothan.

Throughout her life, Zelma had a heart for people. She was always giving herself to others, visiting those who needed companionship, serving others, and opening her home to those in need. Her home became a place of prayer and Bible study, and a place where abused children and teenagers could find love, care, and a safe place to stay, whether for a short time or much longer. She had an extraordinary ability to recognize the needs of those around her and faithfully sought to meet them through God’s strength.

Zelma was gifted in intercession. She prayed both privately and publicly, with and for all who needed prayer. She listened carefully, remembered prayer concerns, lifted those concerns in prayer, and continued to intercede on their behalf. Prayer was not simply something Zelma did – it was one of the ways she loved people.

Of all of Zelma’s accomplishments, she will be remembered most for her passion for God’s Word and her unwavering obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Her faith was not merely something she believed; it was the foundation of the life she lived and the way she loved others.

For her to live was Christ, and to die was gain.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

Zelma is survived by her four children, Catherine Buntin Johnson (Robert), Rosemary Buntin Gillespy (Gerald), Charles Douglas Buntin (Amy), and Sharon Floyd McCracken; and her nine grandchildren, Anna Catherine Gillespy Garrett (Austin), Elizabeth Rose Gillespy, James McAdory Gillespy, Martha Ayres Buntin, Westly Spann Buntin, Thomas West Buntin, Chase Wend Buntin, Judah James McCracken, and Eden Ferguson McCracken. She is also survived by her sisters, Arvie Charlene Clement and Gwenith Anne Graham (Phillip). She is preceded in death by her brother, Carl Jackson Penton.

A private graveside service will be held at Bayview Memorial Park in Pensacola, Florida, on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Zelma was a devoted member of Harvest Methodist Church in Dothan, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Harvest Church or to First United Methodist Church Meals on Wheels. The family extends its heartfelt appreciation to DaySpring Hospice for the loving care they provided, especially Lilli, Jade, Brittany, and Daulton.