Phyllis Fleming Obituary

Phyllis Anita (Kingsley) Fleming, 76, went to be with the Lord on June 26, 2007. She passed away quietly at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado from pneumonia after a brief illness. Phyllis was born on December 16, 1930 in Ashland, Kansas, which was the nearest town with a hospital to Nash, Oklahoma where her parents lived. Her parents were Ethel and Leonard Kingsley, deceased, who were wheat and cattle farmers. She grew up and attended school in Nash. Phyllis played the clarinet as a member of the school band. She was valedictorian of the Nash class of 1949. She participated in many church youth activities where her musical talents were often used. Phyllis attended Northwest Oklahoma Teacher's college in Alva, Oklahoma. After earning her Bachelors in Elementary Education, she taught elementary grades in several schools in the small towns of western Kansas. In addition to teaching, she was active in church music ministries, frequently serving as church pianist. In 1963 she moved to Aurora Colorado to teach elementary grades there. While living there, she met and married Eugene Floyd Fleming, who was employed by the Colorado Department of Rehabilitation, on June 27, 1964. The newlyweds made their home in Grand Junction. They were very active in Baptist churches of the area. Phyllis had leadership positions in Women's Missionary Union activities. The couple adopted two children, Anita Joy and David Eugene. The family moved to Colorado Springs in February of 1971 when her husband was transferred to a position there. Phyllis volunteered in the private and public schools attended by her children. She served in the children's departments at circle Drive Baptist Church where her family was active for many years. Phyllis contracted viral encephalitis in the spring of 1981 that left her with limited speech, destroyed her musical abilities and impaired her mobility. That dramatically changed her family life and limited her participation in church activities. Her hobbies included wide reading, sewing and a variety of musical activities. Phyllis is survived by her husband Eugene Fleming of Colorado Springs, a daughter Anita Arney of Colorado Springs, a son David of Monument, Colorado, and a sister Maurine Massey of Oklahoma City. In accordance with her wishes, the remains have been donated to a medical school. Pastor Ron Watkins is conducting a memorial service at Heritage Baptist Church at 4808 Palmer Park Blvd. in Colorado Springs, Colorado on Sunday, January 28, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. Phyllis will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Howard Payne University, Permanent Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 2369, Brownwood, TX 76804.