Funeral Services for Jo Ann Fleming, will be held Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 7:00 pm at McDonald Funeral Home Chapel.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 12, 2024, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at McDonald Funeral Home.

Arrangements are under the direction of McDonald Funeral Home.

In the late evening, Wednesday, June 5 th , Ms. Jo Ann Fleming breathed her final breath in this life and entered her heavenly home to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ just days before her 85 th birthday. Jo Ann was born in Moberly, Missouri as the first child of Eileene and W D Davison. She was blessed with one sister, Cherita Davison Noonan, and two brothers, William (Billy) Davison, and Harold Davison. Her siblings blessed her with a host of nieces and nephews who she adored and delighted in spending time with as often as possible. Her family and friends in Missouri meant so much to her and she maintained those relationships throughout her life even though she made her home in Mississippi. After graduating as valedictorian from Renick High, Jo Ann set out for adventure as she joined the United States Air Force where she worked with her fellow airmen to find the right placement for them. During her time in the Air Force, she found the ultimate adventure when she met her husband of 41 years, Joseph (Joe) Jefferson Fleming Jr. They started a family, and Jo Ann became a homemaker as they moved around the country during her husband’s service in the Air Force. After her husband retired from the Air Force, they settled down in Picayune, MS and enrolled in college where they pursued a second career as special education teachers. Jo Ann graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with honors and found her great passion of teaching special needs students life skills that would help them to gain independence during her twenty years as an educator at Picayune Memorial High School.

Jo Ann lived a faith-filled life and modeled a love for the Lord in front of her family and friends. She shared her faith with others regularly and had the great privilege of giving each of her grandchildren a Bible upon their baptism. She was a founding member of Union Heritage Baptist Church where she served in many capacities. She was faithful in her service as a Sunday school teacher and the church treasurer, and only stepped down when her failing vision took her ability to drive.

She was an active member of the community as well, and enjoyed meeting with the retired teachers of Pearl River County, the Civic Women’s Club, and the Master Gardner’s. She took great pride in her skill as a master gardener and was always happy to share her vast knowledge of plants and gardening with others. Her volunteerism was exemplary, and it was no surprise when she was awarded Volunteer of the Year by the Picayune Civic Women’s Club.

She could cook like nobody’s business and loved nothing more than to have her family around her table. She loved to sew and make quilts for her grandchildren and even for some of their friends. She loved to laugh and play board games and card games with her family, and she showed up for sporting events, dance recitals, plays, birthday parties, graduations, school events, and anything else her children and grandchildren invited her to attend. She loved deeply and made the people in her life feel special. She was a rare gem and those who were fortunate enough to know her were truly blessed. To say she will be missed is an understatement.

Jo Ann was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Jefferson Fleming Jr, her parents, Eileene and W.D Davison, her sister, Cherita Davison Noonan, her brother, William (Billy) Davison, and her granddaughter, Carley Amanda Fleming. Left to treasure her memory are her son, Joseph Fleming III (Amy), her daughters, Doreene Fleming Wallace (Reed), Peggy Fleming Patterson (Shayne), and Janet Fleming Ladner (Greg), her brother, Harold Davison, her twelve grandchildren, Scott Ladner (Elizabeth), Christopher Ladner (Chassity), Eddie Ray Michael (Cristan), Seth Michael (Lacy Sibley), Reed Wallace (Tran), Rachel Wallace (Corey Holder), Rindi Wallace Hariel (Bretin), Micah Patterson (Megan), Joseph Fleming IV (Allie Olivier), Aaron Patterson, Amelia Fleming, Aiden Fleming, and her great grandchildren, Donnie Ladner, Taylor Michael, Bryson Ladner, Joshua Michael, Rellah Hariel, Katie Ladner, Rayleigh Michael, Eddie Ray Michael IV, Emma Michael, Brownin Hariel, Archer Wallace, Isaiah Ladner, Stannis Holder, Tucker Wallace, Fisher Patterson, Retta Hariel, Sawyer Michael, River Patterson, and Creek Patterson.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Pearl River County SPCA.