James Earl Fleenor, age 88, was received into the arms of his Savior on Tuesday, September 2, 2013 at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Born on March 21, 1925, he was the son of the late Robert and Dorothy Fleenor.
Mr. Fleenor served his country in the United States Navy during WWII, stationed in the Philippines. He retired from Valleydale in 1986 and after a summer of honey-do jobs, began working at Pioneer Chevrolet. His smile was seen all over the area driving the parts truck. He was a longtime member of Kingsway Baptist Church in Bristol, Virginia, where he was an usher for many years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Winfreid Burke Miller Fleenor; two sisters, Mamie Clark and Ruby Sluder; grandson, Aaron Pope; and great-grandson, Ezra Egan.
Mr. Fleenor is survived by two children, Cheryl (Ken) Pope and Terry (Suzi) Fleenor; brother, Roy (Alice) Fleenor; sister-in-law, Evelyn Gobble of Roanoke, VA; three grandchildren, Kevin (Beth) Pope, Steve (Lisa) Pope, and Allison (Randall) Egan; four great-grandchildren, Kenny (Heather) Pope, Meghan Pope, Paeyton Pope, and Paizlee Pope; and numerous nieces, nephews, and special friends.
The Fleenor family would like to express special thanks to the wonderful doctors and nurses at Johnston Memorial Hospital, the Hospice staff, and three special caregivers who spent the last two years meeting all of our precious Pa's needs, Sally Fisher, Ginger McIntyre, and Tammy Phillippi.
The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. A funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday at the funeral home with Pastor Todd Freeman and Minister Tom Crise officiating. A committal service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 4, 2013 in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum of Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Military Rites will be conducted by Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and the Virginia National Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Mr. Fleenor's Sunday School Class, Adult II, at Kingsway Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the No Child Left Unfed program at High Point Elementary School, 14091 Sinking Creek Road, Bristol, VA 24202, attention Allison Egan.
Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook.
The family of James Earl Fleenor is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.