Dr. Floyd Ogburn, Jr.

Dr. Floyd Ogburn Jr. was born on December 23, 1947 in La Crosse, VA to the late Floyd, Sr. and Zelma B. Ogburn, and peacefully entered eternal rest on February 15, 2026 at Hock Family Pavilion, Durham, NC. He was the fifth of six siblings. 
 
Floyd began his formative years growing up on a farm where his parents were sharecroppers in La Crosse, VA. He and his family moved to South Hill, VA where he was baptized at Gethsemane Baptist Church, South Hill, VA. Floyd graduated with honors from East End High School. On a scholarship, he enrolled at Knoxville College (KC), an HBCU in Knoxville, TN. He excelled academically at the college, joined the Gamma Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc., and became an exchange student at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. Floyd graduated from KC with a B.A. in English where he taught for a year. While there, he was encouraged by his mentor to pursue graduate education. Floyd and his college sweetheart/wife moved to Cincinnati, OH where they embarked on their studies and careers at the University of Cincinnati (UC). He earned his M.A. in English with a concentration in African-American Literature, and a Ph.D. in English.
 
At UC, Floyd was a full English professor, Associate Head (Language Arts Department), Associate Dean (University College), Co-Director of Urban Initiatives for Cincinnati Public Schools, and Service-Learning Coordinator. Floyd published notable articles, including eight biographies in the African American National Biography in addition to publications featured in college textbooks. He was a self-professed handy man and enjoyed yard work, learning the latest technological advancements on computers, reading, lifting weights, walking, and spending time with his two adored sons at amusement parks, on summer vacations, or on the sidelines of their sporting events.
 
Upon retirement and after 38 years in Cincinnati, Floyd and his family moved to Cary, NC to be near their relatives in Virginia and Western NC. Family and friends were not surprised when Floyd continued his passion of teaching at Fayetteville State University (Assistant Professor of English), St. Augustine’s University (Head of English Department), and Edgecombe Community College (English Instructor). Floyd and his cherished wife, Trevia, of 53 years loved to travel and visited six continents up until months before his illness. Everyone who knew Floyd would tell you that his love was his wife. If you saw her, Floyd was with her, nearby, or at home anxiously awaiting her return with his cell phone. His sons were his pride and joy; family meant everything.
 
Floyd leaves to cherish his memories: wife, Trevia A. Keaton Ogburn of Durham, NC; two sons, Dr. Kenyon D. Ogburn of San Diego, CA and Dr. Damon F. Ogburn of Alexandria, VA; brother, Rev. Cornelius A. Ogburn (LaFreda) of South Hill, VA; two sisters, Laurette Graham of Apollo Beach, FL and Mildred A. Bussey of Augusta, GA; an aunt, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. 

We mourn Floyd’s passing, but we shall rejoice, for we know that our departed loved one has arrived to a heavenly home more beautiful than we know. We find comfort in knowing that loved ones will one day reunite with our dear Floyd in His glorious presence.

Funeral service at 11:00 AM Monday February 23, 2026 at Watts Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 3703 Tryon Road, Raleigh, NC.  Alpha Phi Alpha service will begin at 10:30  followed by a 10:45 AM visitation.  Interment will follow the service at Crestview Memorial Park, 18599 Hwy 1, La Crosse, Virginia.

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