Mr. Frederick Douglas Fleming entered this world on June 7, 1946 in Morganton, NC, and he peacefully exchanged his mortal life for eternal life on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at Magnolia Lane Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in his hometown. He was a lifelong resident of Burke County.

Frederick, who was fondly known as "Fred" or "Freddie", was born to the late Fred D. Fleming and the late Magnolia Conley Fleming Burnette. Freddie was the oldest of their three children and he was preceded in death by brother, Vernon N. Fleming, and sister, Nella Marie Fleming Chambers.

In addition to his parents and siblings, Freddie was preceded in death by family members that nurtured him; Sarah J. Fleming (Grandmother/Big Ma), Ephriam and Woodson Jones (Great Uncles) and Forest and Marjorie Fleming (Uncle and Aunt) and other family members as he grew up on Valdese Avenue.

Freddie attended school in Morganton and was later employed at Forest Hill and Olive Hill Cemeteries as a grounds keeper custodian. He enjoyed working in the flower and vegetable gardens, and he loved to cook. In the late 1970's, he moved to Connelly Springs, NC with his late aunt, Iona Shropshire; there he was self-employed and loved to lend a helping hand to anyone he met. As years passed, he became a part of the family of Mrs. Marie Watson, providing care and assistance to her and family.

Freddie was baptized at an early age at Slades Chapel AME Zion in Morganton and attended regularly. After he moved to Connelly Springs, he was welcomed into fellowship with the Shady Grove UMC and the Israel Chapel AME Church. He truly loved the Lord, and exhibited this love by supporting the ministries of Rev. Dennis Tomlinson and Rev. Phyllis Caldwell at their respective churches. He was also a Trustee at Israel Chapel AME Church.  Upon moving back to Morganton following Marie's death, Freddie would accompany Rev. Caldwell to and from church services each week, thoroughly enjoying the drives between Morganton and Connelly Springs, until his declining health.

Left to cherish precious memories are cousin and caregiver, Forest G. Fleming, II (Terri), sister-in-law, Carolyn Kincaid Fleming, brother-in-law, William E. Chambers, Sr., a host of nieces and nephews, countless cousins and loving church families.

Donations in memory of Freddie may be made to the Israel Chapel AME Church, P.O. Box 921, Connelly Springs, NC  28612.

A homegoing celebration will be held Monday October 9, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. in the Corpening Memorial Chapel of McCain Funeral Home & Cremations with Rev. Dr. Qismat Alim presiding and Rev. Phyllis Caldwell serving as the eulogist; interment will follow at Olive Hill Cemetery.  The family will receive friends thirty minutes prior to the service.  The family will be available for visitation from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday October 8 at 605 Valdese Avenue in Morganton.

The service will be livestreamed on the McCain Funeral Home & Cremations Facebook page and YouTube Channel; the links are found below:

McCain Funeral Home & Cremations Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/mccainfuneralhome/

McCain Funeral Home & Cremations YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu4qb7IT7sO-Kc0BRs05J-A