Sallie Eugenia Kerner Fleming (95) passed away peacefully in Montgomery, AL on November 26, 2025. She was born on October 21, 1930, to the late Janie (Harris) Kerner and Clarence Kerner, in Henderson, NC. She graduated summa cum laude from Salem College in Winston Salem, NC in 1952 with a B.M. in Organ Performance. She completed graduate work in Organ Performance at The Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in New York. Out of college, she accepted a position as an accompanist in the Music Department at Sullins College in Bristol, VA. She met her loving husband there, the late Leon B. Fleming Jr. They married in August of 1954 and moved to Maryland in 1970. She was active in many churches in the Washington DC Metropolitan area. Throughout her career, she performed with the University of Maryland Chorale as well as playing for weddings at the University of Maryland Chapel, and as the Organist at Calvary United Methodist Church in Annapolis, MD. She was an accompanist for her husband, a choral conductor, at Calvary UMC. Her passion for music was matched by her enthusiasm for ballroom dancing, a pursuit she enjoyed well into her 80s.
Sallie was preceded in death by her parents, Janie (Harris) Kerner and Clarence Kerner, her beloved husband, Leon Brown Fleming Jr., and her brother, Lewis Clarence Kerner Jr. She is survived by her devoted daughters, Susan Elisabeth Fleming of Olney, Maryland, and Mary Fleming Dudley (Erastus) of Montgomery, Alabama. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren: Valentine Dudley (Danny) of St. Paul, Minnesota; Jade Kelso-Teel (Megan) of Richmond, Virginia; Brandon Tran, Christianna Tran, and Bristol Tran, all of Olney, Maryland; Elizabeth Dudley (Alex Reid) of Monhegan, Maine; Mary Olivia Alexander-Dudley (Timothy) of Chicago, Illinois; and Joshua Dudley of Montgomery, Alabama.
Her faith and family were her foundations and guided every part of her life. She embraced the world with love and vitality and often expressed that she loved life. She loved deeply and shared her musical gifts so generously. Her intellect, wit, creativity and compassion touched everyone who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, hope, strength, and love. These qualities will forever guide the hearts of those who knew her. In praise of God meet duty and delight, well done thy good and faithful servant.
A memorial service and inurnment will be held at First United Methodist Church, 114 Church Street, Henderson, NC 27536 on January 3, 2026 at 1:00 pm. A memorial service is also being planned at Calvary United Methodist Church in Annapolis, MD at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to The Leon B. Fleming Jr. Scholarship Award- C.O. Rebecca Mamrush, Associate Director of Scholarship Stewardship, Westminster Choir College, at Rider University, 2083 Lawrenceville Rd., Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.
Sallie's memory will forever be cherished by her family and friends, and her kind-hearted and inspirational nature will continue to influence those who knew her.
