Althea Jayne (Flatt) Fesmire

Jayne was born October 22, 1938 to Reverend Dr. F. A. and Thelma Flatt in Memphis, TN. She lived in Cuba during her early childhood where her father was a Methodist missionary. She spent the rest of her life in West Tennessee and Western Kentucky. A graduate of Jackson High School in Jackson, TN, she attended Lambuth College in Jackson and graduated from Peabody College in Nashville, TN with a degree in Elementary Education. Her career included teaching in public schools, teaching voice and piano, and sales. She was also a Methodist minister’s wife, mother, artist, and accomplished vocalist with perfect pitch. She loved finding beauty in nature and enjoyed ornamental gardening. She and her husband traveled to many wonderful places during their early retirement years.

Jayne developed a serious commitment to pursuing her lifelong love of drawing and painting after the last of her three sons left home. She devoted time to developing her art through study and practice. She painted in pastel, watercolor, oil, and acrylic, with her favorite being pastel. Her artwork received many awards, and her paintings are part of private collections throughout the U.S.

Jayne said this about her art: “God is the ultimate artist. It is in awe and wonder that I see and feel the ever changing beauty in the world. From vast vistas to intricate details, the creative beauty I see is a wonderful gift, free to anyone open to receive. My art is a response, a poor imitation of the real thing. Some people are moved to write poetry or sing songs; I need to express on paper or canvas a glimpse of the impact of shadows and light, patterns, colors and emotion felt as the privileged observer of the ultimate artwork.”

Jayne married Charles Wayne Fesmire on June 13, 1959 at Whitehaven United Methodist Church in Memphis, TN. Her father, Rev. F. A. Flatt, performed the ceremony. They celebrated 64 years of marriage before Wayne’s passing in July of this year.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Dr. Charles Wayne Fesmire; and her brother, Dwayne Flatt (Betty). She leaves behind her three sons: David (Anita), Randal (Amy), Steven (Heather Keith); her seven grandchildren, Alyssa Fesmire, Alaina (Joey) Bivona, Adrienne (Azam) Bacchus, Scott (Melisa) Fesmire, Ryan Fesmire, Ethan (fiancée: Zenda Olson) Fesmire, and James Fesmire-Keith; and three great-grandchildren, Nadia Abuali, and Jane and Molly Fesmire.

There will be a service at George A. Smith & Sons North Funeral Home on Monday, September 11, 2023 at 11:00.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a charitable donation to Regional Inter-Faith Association of Jackson, TN.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GeorgeASmithandSons.com for the Fesmire family.