Arizona Ferrell Fleming, 87, of Michigan City, Indiana, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 22, 2021, at Franciscan Health Michigan City, Indiana.
Arizona Ferrell Fleming was born May 20, 1933, in Charleston, Missouri, the daughter of Paul Ferrell, Sr. and Creasie Ingram Ferrell. Her family relocated to Pulaski, Illinois, where she grew up. After her mother's death, she was raised by his aunt, Mrs. Willie E Shorter. She moved to Michigan City and attended Elston High School briefly. She returned to Pulaski, Illinois, where she graduated from Mounts High School. In 1951,
Arizona moved back to Michigan City, where she married Albert Fleming, Sr. They were blessed with seven children. Arizona was a homemaker but always worked various jobs. She finally accepted full-time employment at Jay-Mar Ruby where she worked until she retired.
Arizona was a devoted Christian and loved to help others. She was known by so many as Mother Fleming. She loved children and took many into her home and heart. She served as the church pianist and Sunshine Band Leader at Hatchett Temple Church Of God In Christ and Zion Temple Church Of God In Christ. She was appointed District Sunshine Lady for District 8. She was an Appointed Church Mother in 1985 of Life Temple Church Of God In Christ, where she served until her death.
A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at 12 noon, at Life Temple COGIC, 3709 W. U.S. 20, La Porte, Indiana, 46350. Pastor Robert Fleming gave the eulogy. Burial took place Monday, May 3, 2021, at Swan Lake Memorial Garden at 11 a.m.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother; two sons, Albert Fleming and Lester Darnell Fleming; two daughters, Shena Trinette Fleming Jenkins and Althea Fleming; two brothers, Archie Lee Ferrell and Charles Edward Moore; one sister, Lula Mae Kelly; one special brother-in-law, Elder Roger Kelly; one special sister-in-law, Dorothy Ferrell; and one son-in-law, Calvin Jenkins. Arizona is survived by one son, Robert (Brenda) Fleming of Michigan City, Indiana; two daughters, Evelyn (Cecil) Brown and Rhonda (Willie) Faulkner, both of Michigan City, Indiana; two grandsons, whom she raised, Cameron (India) Fleming and Blake Fleming, and one sister, Alpha Mae Williams, all of Michigan City, Indiana; two sisters-in-law, Berdia Lee of Matteson, Illinois, and Sherri Moore, of La Porte, Indiana; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends. Mother Fleming will be missed by all that knew her. To sign a guest book, please visit www.colemanhicks.com.
