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Franklin City Council voted Jan. 13 to adopt a resolution honoring the memory of June Fleming, who set a remarkable example of selfless service to the public throughout her career, including the three-and-a-half years in which she exited retirement to serve as Franklin’s city manager. 

“She’s touched many people’s lives,” current Franklin City Manager Rosylen Oglesby said at the council’s Jan. 13 meeting. “She passed away on Dec. 9, and this past Friday was her going home service.”

Fleming was 93 at the time of her passing.

Oglesby noted her service as Franklin’s city manager.

“Started off, it seemed like, in a volunteer role, then eventually assuming it longer than what she had anticipated…,” Oglesby said.

Fleming had been city manager in Palo Alto, California, from 1992 to 2000 before retiring and moving with her husband, Roscoe Lee Fleming Jr., to Franklin in 2000. 

She applied for the interim city manager position in 2008 when former City Manager Rowland “Bucky” Taylor left to become executive director of the Southeastern Public Service Authority.

“Several people encouraged me to apply,” Fleming said in 2012. “I thought it would be three months, but three months evolved into three-and-a-half years.”

According to reporting in November 2009 from The Tidewater News reporter Nicholas Langhorne, in the early months of Fleming’s tenure as interim city manager, she worked without compensation, except for a monthly travel allowance.

This changed in March 2009 when the City Council removed the “interim” from her title and agreed to a salary.

She originally agreed to stay with the city until the end of the 2009 fiscal year, and then she agreed to extensions that ultimately kept her in the role into early 2012.

In November 2009, Langhorne reported that earlier that year, Fleming and the council agreed on a “memorandum of understanding” for her to serve “at the pleasure of council” until June 30, 2010. The council agreed to “make an effort to hire and employ a new city manager” during this period.

However, Langhorne noted, council members said the pending closure of International Paper’s Franklin mill and the fiscal impact it would have on the city required stable leadership.

“This is not the time to be making a change,” then-Councilman Barry Cheatham said. “She’s done great work for us.”

Then-Vice Mayor Raystine Johnson said Fleming’s “expertise” and “efficiency” were invaluable — especially at that critical time.

Fleming said that she agreed to serve another year because it was the desire of the City Council.

“I’ve always said that I would do what the council thought was best,” she said after the meeting in November 2009. “They made that request, and I’ve honored it.”

In The Tidewater News’ reporting of her retirement as city manager in early 2012, Fleming said she had enjoyed her time with the city and had no regrets.

Then-Mayor Jim Councill wished Fleming well in retirement.

“Mrs. Fleming has done an excellent job of managing our city for the past three-and-a-half years while we waited to find a good long-term city manager,” Councill said. “She has helped maintain our city’s strength in challenging times. She has certainly earned her keep a second time around, having come out of retirement to serve the city she had come to call home.”

On Jan. 13, 2025, Vice Mayor Wynndolyn H. Copeland read aloud the resolution honoring the memory of June Fleming, which is written as follows:

“Whereas, June Fleming, a distinguished leader and dedicated public servant, passed away on Dec. 9, 2024, leaving a profound impact on her community and the many lives she touched throughout her exemplary career;

“Whereas, Ms. Fleming served as the city manager of Franklin, Virginia, where her leadership

and vision significantly improved local governance and community services, demonstrating an

unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of life for residents;

“Whereas, with more than 45 years of experience in public service and library science, Ms.

Fleming inspired countless individuals as a chief librarian, high school librarian, associate

professor and a respected city manager, paving the way for future generations in her field;

“Whereas, her notable accomplishments included the Woman of the Year Award from the

Women’s Resource Center in Palo Alto and the Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy from the Virginia Community College System, reflecting her exceptional contributions to both her profession and the community;

“Whereas, June Fleming was an active member of several organizations, including the

International City and County Managers Association and Delta Sigma Theta, dedicating her time and talents to serving others and promoting civic engagement;

“Whereas, June Fleming’s legacy includes her profound belief in the importance of community

service and her passion for library science, inspiring many to pursue careers that serve the greater good;

“Now, therefore, be it resolved that we, the members of the Franklin City Council and

those who were fortunate to know Ms. Fleming, honor her memory by upholding the values she embodied — leadership, dedication and a commitment to service;

“Be it further revolved that we, the Franklin City Council, extend our deepest condolences

to her family, friends and all who were touched by her kindness, grace and steadfast spirit;

“Be it finally resolved that this resolution be presented as a lasting tribute to June Fleming’s extraordinary life and her enduring contributions to our community, serving as a reminder of the impact one individual can have on the world around them.”

Franklin Mayor Paul Kaplan, Copeland and Ward 4 Councilman Dr. Linwood Johnson attended Fleming’s memorial service on Jan. 10.

Kaplan said, “This resolution is very nice, wonderful, but it just touches the tip of the iceberg of Ms. Fleming’s impact in many, many areas, not just the city of Franklin, throughout our schools and throughout her career.”

He said the city would make sure the resolution was delivered to Fleming’s family.

A 6-0 council vote followed in favor of adopting the resolution. 

The tally of votes cast did not reach seven because Ward 3 Councilman Gregory McLemore was not present for the meeting.

Kaplan concluded the agenda item dedicated to Fleming by saying, “We thank her for her many years of service.”