House Resolution 24

A RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. JOAN YVONNE CHARLESTON FLEMING AND EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Joan Yvonne Charleston Fleming, born July 1, 1940, to John Burke Charleston, Sr., and Ruby Nash Charleston in Indianapolis, Indiana, departed this earthly life on Monday, January 28, 2013, in Chicago, Illinois, bringing deep sorrow and loss to her family and many friends; and

WHEREAS, graduating from West Virginia State University in 1963 with a bachelor's degree in physical education, Mrs. Fleming, dedicated to her profession, also earned a Teaching Certificate from Chicago Teachers College, now Chicago State University; and

WHEREAS, on December 7, 1963, in Chicago, Illinois, Mrs. Fleming married the love of her life, Robert Fleming of Marks, Mississippi, and to their union was born a son, the Honorable Erik R. Fleming, a member of the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi from 1999 through 2008; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Fleming, an outstanding educator who devoted her life to improving the lives of not only her students, but all whom she could help, worked to better opportunities for everyone when she was one of the first African Americans to integrate Shortridge High School in Indianopolis, Indiana; and

WHEREAS, as a cheerleading coach at Cooley High School in Chicago, Mrs. Fleming was admired by and a mentor for countless students, and for over 25 years, Mrs. Fleming loyally served the Chicago Board of Health as a health educator; and

WHEREAS, while giving much of her life to her profession, Mrs. Fleming was a long-time active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Chicago, where she faithfully served as Congregation President; and

WHEREAS, throughout her life, Mrs. Fleming supported and remained loyal to her alma mater as a life member of the West Virginia State Alumni Association; and

WHEREAS, always a leader wherever life took her, Mrs. Fleming volunteered countless hours of service in promoting and carrying out program initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for all individuals as an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, although Mrs. Fleming, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all she knew, has now traversed the river of life to reunite with her loved ones previously summoned by God to heaven's celestial shores, it is with much sorrow, yet a lifetime of fond memories, that her survivors will send her home on Monday, February 4, 2013; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life and legacy of such an outstanding lady as Mrs. Joan Yvonne Charleston Fleming, who blessed and enriched the lives of so many others while present in this earthly life:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commemorate the life and legacy of Mrs. Joan Yvonne Charleston Fleming and express our sincerest and deepest sympathy upon her passing to her family and loved ones.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mrs. Joan Yvonne Charleston Fleming and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.