Mr. Leon Franklin Fleming's Obituary
Leon Franklin Fleming was born April 28, 1929, in Meridian, Mississippi to Paul Franklin and Ethel Scott Fleming. Leon, affectionately referred to as "Brother" by his siblings, confessed his belief in Christ at an early age and was a lifelong member of Newell Chapel CME Church.
Leon's formal education included Saint Joseph Catholic School, T. J. Harris High School and Junior College and Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University, where he earned a Bachelor's in Industrial Arts in 1961.
Leon was a highly decorated combat veteran, serving as an infantryman and radio operator during the Korean Conflict. After the war, he served as a jump instructor at the airborne school at Ft. Benning, GA and mortar platoon sergeant at Ft. Campbell, KY.
During that period, he met and married the love of his life Eva Bernice Price. This union has span more than seventy years and four children, Glenn Adolphus (Rita) Fleming, Leonard Paul (Katie) Fleming, Ava Germaine (Marlon) Cunningham, and Terence Franklin (Wendy) Fleming.
In the early 60's, Leon briefly ran Fleming's Sinclair Station on 18th street and 20th Avenue. After a few years, he closed and taught Industrial Arts at Butler Baker High School in Eatonton, GA. He would later work as an instructor and curriculum developer at an adult vocational training facility in Greenville, MS. In 1969, the Singer Company, for whom he worked, offered him an opportunity for advancement in Morganfield, KY, at what has become Earle C. Clements Job Corp Center. Leon would subsequently serve as the Vocational Training Manager of Building and Trades until his retirement in 1988, when he and Eva would return to Meridian.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Eva Bernice Fleming of Meridian, MS, a son Leonard Paul (Katie) Fleming of Meridian, MS, a daughter Ava Germaine (Marlon) Cunningham of Memphis, TN, sisters Ethel Pearl Phillips of Grand Rapids, MI and Pauline McCullum of Greenville, MS, eleven grandchildren, sixteen greatgrandchildren, two great greatgrandchildren, two brothers-in-law, five sisters-in-law and a host of devoted nieces, nephews and friends.
Leon passed May 15, 2024 in Meridian, MS. He was preceded in death by his parents, sons Glenn Adolphus Fleming and Terence Franklin Fleming, sisters Florence Elizabeth Walk, Mamie Glass, Lola Phillips, Mary Bernice Fleming, Johnnie Louise Clark and a brother Ulyssess Grant Fleming.
What’s your fondest memory of Leon?
What’s a lesson you learned from Leon?
Share a story where Leon's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Leon you’ll never forget.
How did Leon make you smile?
