Mr. Audrey Leevester Fleming

Audrey Leevester Fleming was born February 26, 1933, in the Spring Valley Community of Morrilton, Arkansas. He was the youngest of eight children of Reverend John Henry and Clarentine Sullivan Fleming. Audrey attended Spring Valley Jean Fund School, North View Junior High School and Conway County Training School. He graduated high school in 1950. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1943 and was baptized in the Pilgrim Baptist Church. A short time later he joined Spring Valley Baptist Church and in 1958 he joined Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Kansas City, MO. During his 68 years as a member of Progressive, he served in various capacities including: Chairman of Trustees, Chairman of the Deacons, coordinator of the Scholarship Department and Director of the Baptist Training Union (BTU). He also served as an Usher during the early years of his membership. Audrey also worked and retired from the Hertz Corporation in 1998 after 47 years of employment. Furthermore, he worked as a tax consultant for H&R Block and for himself. Audrey served two years in the United States Army, 18 of those months he was on the Special Police Platoon in Butzbach, Germany. He enjoyed being in Germany and often rented a car to see the countryside. He was discharged from the Army in 1955. He met and married his first wife, Vesta B. (Townsell) Fleming and had three beautiful children. Vesta B. passed away in March of 1994 after 38 years of marriage. Audrey loved baseball since his childhood. In 1958 he and his brother-in-law, Carl Steverson, began working with the inner-city youth. Audrey was active with the Kansas City Amateur Athletic Association, an affiliate of the American Amateur Baseball Congress. He served as Vice President for eight years and managed 22 amateur baseball teams. The team named “7-Up” was Audrey’s most popular team during the late 60’s & early 70’s. Some of the teams won league titles. The “7-Up” team won the State Championship in 1970, which qualified them to participate in the National tournament in Knoxville, TN. He always offered baseball advice to his nephews, grandsons and anyone else who asked. On February 20, 1999, he married his current wife, Bessie Lee (Harris) Thompson-Fleming. With this marriage three more lovely children were added to the family. Audrey and Bessie described their family as “his three, her three and our six”. He always made that known when he was asked how many children did he have. Audrey and Bessie once stated that “we feel that God truly Blessed us with a blended family in our older age.” Audrey L. Fleming was preceded in death by his first wife, Vesta B. (Townsell) Fleming; his parents; his siblings; Dewitt Fleming, Lloyd G. Fleming, Ella M. Fleming Burgess, Ruby J. Fleming Bell, Guy A. Fleming, Retha J. Fleming and Fletcher L. Merritt; grandson Brian L. Fleming. On January 2, 2026, Audrey L. Fleming was called home to be with the Lord. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Bessie L. Thompson-Fleming, children: Shelia Fleming Jones (Freddie), Trenia D. Fleming, Loinel K. Fleming (Sheryl), Paul G. Thompson (Christina), Meredith E. Shellner (Darie), Troy A. Thompson. He also Funeral services Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 10:00am at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. Interment Leavenworth National Cemetery. Visitation 9:00am-10:00am at the church. Arrangements entrusted to Lawrence A. Jones & Sons. Condolences may be shared on our website.

Mr. Audrey Leevester Fleming

February 26, 1933 - January 2, 2026