I don’t usually use this space to talk about my family, but I wanted to briefly pay tribute to my maternal grandfather, Bishop Raymond E. Lloyd, Sr. He passed away on Saturday night at the age of 88. He lived a long, full life where his leadership and dedication made a great impact on me and hundreds of others in my community. He was the pastor of the church in which I was brought up, El Bethel Temple, in Springfield, OH. He was a steadfast, principled man who raised 6 children with a strong sense of morality, discipline and humility—values they passed on to his dozens of grandchildren and great grand children. His wife, Elmira Lloyd, passed away when I was 10. She was the organist at my church and was one of my greatest musical influences as a child. I remember looking forward to hanging out at their house after church on Sundays when I was a kid. My grandfather was always so loving and proud of us. And I am proud of him and proud to be a part of his legacy.

peace & love,
John