June Helena Dwellingham Fleming

Published 3:05 pm Sunday, December 29, 2024

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — June Helena Dwellingham Fleming, a trailblazing leader and devoted public servant, passed away peacefully on Dec. 9, 2024, at the age of 93. Born on June 24, 1931, in Little Rock, Arkansas, she was the cherished daughter of Herman and Ethel Lucille Dwellingham.

June’s lifelong passion for education and service was evident in her many accomplishments. June was a graduate of Dunbar High School in Little Rock (Class of 1949), she earned a Bachelor of Arts from Talladega College in 1952 and a Master of Library Science from Drexel University in 1954. June’s commitment to professional growth led her t

o pursue executive management studies at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business in 1973, where she received the Merrill Foundation Grant. She also gained invaluable experiences during two years spent living in Africa.

June’s professional career was marked by extraordinary achievements. From 1960 to 1967, she served as an Associate Professor at Philander Smith College in Little Rock. In 1968, June took on the role of Director of Libraries for the City of Palo Alto, California, a position she held until 1980. June’s leadership continued with the City of Palo Alto as Assistant City Manager in 1980, and later as City Manager from 1992 to 2000. After retiring from her role as City Manager, she moved across the country with her husband, Roscoe Lee Fleming Jr., to Franklin, Virginia. Seeing a need to continue her civic service, June served as the City Manager for the City of Franklin from 2009 to 2012.

Beyond her career, June was deeply committed to community advocacy. She contributed significantly to the Paul D. Camp Community College Foundation Board as vice president and president, served as chairman and liaison for the Paul D. Camp College Board, and was an active member of the Blackwater Regional Library Board.

June was honored with numerous accolades, including the J. Paul Council Jr. Community Service Award, the Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy from Virginia Community College, and the Woman of the Year Award from the Women’s Resource Center in Palo Alto. She was recognized in Marquis Who’s Who as a Distinguished Humanitarian and made her mark in several Who’s Who listings, including Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who of American Women and Who’s Who in the West.

A woman of unwavering faith and fellowship, June was a beloved member of First United Methodist Church in Palo Alto and High Street United Methodist Church in Franklin. She was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., the Palo Alto Rotary Club, Palo Alto Red Cross, YMCA Women Empowerment and a life member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

June was preceded in death by her husband, Roscoe and son, Roscoe Lee Fleming III. June is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Ethel Lucille Fleming of Oakland, California; stepdaughter Paula Fleming Dozier (Glenn) of Suffolk, Virginia; grandchildren Jeannine Galloway (Aaron Buggs) of Smyrna, Georgia, Jeannise Ewing (Chezare) of Ashburn, Virginia and Perlecya Dozier Huges (Jerry) of Rocky Mount, North Carolina; great-grandsons Nicholas and Asher Buggs; and great-granddaughter, Deja Ewing, along with extended family and a host of church family and friends.

June’s legacy of service and leadership will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know her.

A memorial service will be held on Jan. 10, at 11 a.m. at High Street United Methodist Church, 31164 Camp Parkway, Courtland, VA 23837. The professional and caring staff of Wm. M. Johnson & Sons Funeral Home Inc., 224 South Main Street, Franklin is assisting the family. Please share your condolences with the family at wmjohnsonandsons.com