Thelma Maxine Fleming

Mrs. Thelma Maxine Fleming, a woman of unwavering faith and love, was born on July 27, 1932, in Holdenville, Oklahoma, to Reverend David A. Knighton and Lorene Olden-Knighton. Raised in Holdenville, she graduated from Lincoln High School and pursued higher education at Langston University. At an early age, Thelma gave her life to Christ, being baptized at Shiloh Baptist Church. Fate led her to meet Air Force Master Sergeant Donald Mence Fleming, and they were united in marriage. While stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California, Thelma realized a dream by earning her cosmetology license at the Fairfield School of Cosmetology. After Donald's transfer from Travis Air Force Base she proudly managed the beauty shop at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana. After Donald's retirement from the Air Force in 1978 due to medical reasons, the family returned to Oklahoma City in 1979. They became devoted members of Greater Shiloh Baptist Church, and later Paradise Baptist Church, where Donald served as Chairman of the Deacon Board and Thelma as a Deaconess. Her voice graced the Paradise Church Choir, and she gave lovingly to the church's mobile meals program. Outside of her faith, Thelma delighted in tending her flower gardens, solving word puzzles, baking, and embroidery. A devoted sports fan, she cheered on the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Cowboys. Yet, above all, her greatest treasures were her devotion to her husband and her deep love for her children and grandchildren. Thelma was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald, her parents, sister Margie Lee Knighton, twin brothers, brothers Billy Ray and Reverend David C. Knighton, sister Joyce Ann Griffin and sons-in-law Donald K. Hatch and Nathan McCarver. She is lovingly remembered by her children: daughters Loretta Lajune Hatch McCarver (Toledo, OH), Darnelda Doraine (John) Walter (Dayton, OH), and son Gerald Scott (Dalita Albert) Fleming (Oklahoma City, OK). She also leaves behind sisters Marva Eddington and Barbara Brown (both of Midwest City, OK), brothers John (Emma) Knighton (Marietta, GA) and Rickey (Joni) Knighton (San Antonio, TX), along with a large extended family of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. Thelma’s life was a beacon of kindness, faith, and steadfast devotion. On March 17, 2026, she was called home by her Heavenly Father, reunited with Donald and those who went before her. Her legacy of love and faith endures in all who were blessed to know her. “Well done, thy good and faithful servant…” Well done.

Visitation will be held at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, 8805 NE 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73141, US, on April 3, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will take place at Paradise Baptist Church, 4617 NE 36th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73121, US, on April 4, 2026, at 11:00 am.

Burial will be at Arlington Memory Gardens, 3400 N Midwest Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73141, US, on April 4, 2026.