Dorothy Jane Fleming passed away on August 12, 2022 in Reynoldsburg, OH. Born in Robertson County, TN, Jane and her late husband, retired Naval Commander William Fleming, lived across the globe and settled in Rome, GA in 1981. During her years in Rome, Jane was a faithful member of the Rome First United Methodist Church and always among the first to greet each new member. In addition to her husband, Jane was predeceased by two sons William, Jr. and Frank, her parents Byrns and Neola Dunn, and two brothers, Ralph and Don Dunn.
Jane graduated from the Portland, TN high school and taught school a year in Portland. She then enrolled in Whitworth College in Brookhaven MS for two years, and in her second year she was chosen as Miss Whitworth. Reasons she received this recognition were her “high intellectual status, high moral caliber and being dependable, efficient and enthusiastic”. She continued to exhibit these traits all her life, setting an example for all who knew her. She transferred to Austin Peay State College in Clarkesville, TN and afterwards moved back to Portland to teach another year.
While in high school she and Bill Fleming fell in love. He was offered placement in the Navy and upon graduation from flight training program in Pensacola, FL Jane planned to go to his graduation to pin on his flight wings. This plan did not come to be as her mother insisted no lady of 20 would travel unescorted and she could not go with her. Marriage on March 10, 1951 soon eliminated that problem and they began 25 years of travel around the world.
Norfolk, VA, Key West FL, Whidby Island, WA, San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA, Hawaii, Oxford, MS Okinawa, and Atlanta were some of the places they were stationed before retiring to Rome. One of their most memorable transfers involved Jane driving 3000 miles alone from Key West, FL to Whidbey Island, WA with three boys, all under the age of four.
Never being afraid of anything, Jane encouraged her family to take advantage of every opportunity they came upon, with one of the most adventuresome being their trek up Mount Fujiyama. Family pictures show the five of them, walking sticks in hand going up and returning, a little ragged but not much worse for the wear. Other family treks she arranged were a train ride across the full length of Taiwan, and visits to the Philippines and Bangkok.
Her courageous outings included riding a camel at the San Diego Zoo, an elephant in Bangkok, two donkeys, and a ride in a plane performing barrel rolls. At age 80 Jane took her grandchildren white water rafting on the Nantahala River and at 90 she rode in a tethered hot air balloon (gift from her church staff).
Even after retirement and the death of her husband, Jane continued to work with and for her family. For seven years she helped operate a laundromat/dry cleaners in Summerville, GA with her son Frank and his wife Sally. She arrived at work at 4:30 A.M. to empty and count the previous day’s receipts from the machines. A Summerville City Police vehicle sat in front of the building keeping watch over this early morning business owner until she had the money counted and was off to the bank.
Jane was known for many volunteer activities at Rome First United Methodist Church, as well as serving lunch five days the first week of every month for more than 15 years at the Community Kitchen in Rome.
Loved ones who survive Jane include her son Dr. Mark Fleming and wife Paula (Columbus, OH), granddaughter Camille Fleming (Sacramento, CA), daughter-in-law Joni Greene (Hemet, CA), grandson Billy Fleming (Columbus, OH), daughter-in-law Sally Mitchell (Woodlawn, VA), granddaughter Dr. Jessica Hegwood (Jonathan) great grandchildren Elizabeth Cook and Jack Hegwood, (Peachtree Corners, GA).
A service celebrating Jane’s faithful and adventuresome life will be held at the Rome First United Methodist Church on August 19 at 11:00 with visitation from 9:30 – 10:45 in the church sanctuary. The Reverend Doctors Gil Watson and Robert Brown will conduct the service. Burial will be in Oaknoll Cemetery, Rome, GA. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Jane’s memory are asked to consider The Community Kitchen, 3 Central Plaza, Suite 384, Rome, GA 30161 or Rome First United Methodist Church (Building Endowment Fund) 202 East 3rd Avenue, Rome, GA 30161.
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