Leonard Paul Fleming

      Leonard “Paul” Fleming, beloved husband, father, son, brother, grandfather (PaPa), and friend, passed away peacefully at his home in Meridian, Mississippi, on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the age of 68, surrounded by his wife and mother. Born on March 22, 1956, in the U.S. Army Hospital in Augsburg, Germany, to the late Leon Franklin Fleming and Eva Bernice Price Fleming, Paul lived a life marked by faith, dedication, and love.

      At an early age, Paul professed his faith in Jesus Christ and joined Newell Chapel CME Church in Meridian, MS, where his spiritual foundation was nurtured. His formal education began in the public schools of Meridian and Greenville, MS. A bright and determined student, Paul graduated early from Union County High School in Morganfield, KY. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Western Kentucky University in 1982 and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Texas in 1994.

      Paul proudly followed in his father’s footsteps with a distinguished military career. He began in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Specialist, earning the rank of Sergeant, and was entrusted with guarding nuclear weapons and KC-135 refueling aircraft. After completing his undergraduate degree, Paul was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and became a Field Artillery Officer. His first assignment took him to Camp Essayons, South Korea, followed by a teaching role at the U.S. Army Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, OK. Rising to the rank of Captain, Paul transitioned to the U.S. Army Reserves, where he served as a Public Communications Engineering Officer at Fort DeRussy in Honolulu, HI. 

      Prior to Paul’s military career, he worked with disadvantaged youth at the Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center in Morganfield, KY, with intellectual disabled individuals at the Panorama Boarding School in Bowling Green, KY and with drug addicts and alcoholics at the Northwest Regional and Drug Abuse Clinic in Shreveport, LA. He also worked with juvenile delinquents while serving as a probation officer in Copperas Cove, TX. In addition, Paul has trained probation officers for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Austin, TX.

      Beyond his military service, Paul contributed to national defense as a contractor with Camber Corporation in Killeen, TX, where he played a vital role in the development, testing and fielding of software for the U.S. Army Battlefield Command and Control Systems. 

      It was at Fort Sill that Paul met the love of his life, Major (R) Katie A. Towers. They were united in holy matrimony in Bartlesville, OK, and shared 36.5 beautiful years of marriage. Together, they had a blended family of three children. They made their home in Killeen, TX, for over two decades before returning to Meridian to be near family.

      He was a gentleman, friendly and had a smile for everyone. Paul’s life was filled with creativity, passion, and generosity. He loved his family deeply and took pride in mentoring others. He was a lover of music, sports, fishing, and sports cars. A gifted musician, Paul played trumpet in his high school band and a local ensemble and composed over 30 copyrighted songs, some of which are available on SoundCloud.

     After retiring in 2014, Paul embraced the slower pace of life in Meridian, spending cherished time with his wife and parents. He faced his final days with grace, dignity, and gratitude, a testament to his faith and resilience.

      Paul was preceded in death by his father, Leon Franklin Fleming; his brothers, Glenn Adolphus Fleming and Terence “Terry” Franklin Fleming; and his mother-in-law, Lillie Mae Flemons.

     He leaves behind to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Katie A. Towers Fleming; his loving mother, Eva Bernice Price Fleming; his children, Karen Choyce (John) of Midlothian, TX, Thomas “Rocky” Skinner (Amber) of Evansville, IN, and Latosha Fox-Davis (Tonisha) of Denver, CO; his sister, Ava Germaine (Marlon) Cunningham of Memphis, TN; ten adoring grandchildren; and a host of sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law as well as extended family and friends.

      Paul’s legacy of love, service, and faith will remain an enduring inspiration to all who knew him. A graveside service to honor his life will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Meridian, MS.  Should the weather conditions deteriorate Saturday morning, we will hold the service in the chapel of Webb & Stephens Funeral Home.

     The staff of Webb & Stephens Funeral Homes-North is grateful for the opportunity to honor Paul’s life and memory and to serve his loving family during this time.