Linda was born on March 27, 1940, in New Albany, Mississippi, to the late LC and Rudell Walker Garrison. She was a member of the Messick High School graduating class of 1958. Notably, on January 28, 1958, she skipped school to elope with James Clarence (JC) Fleming — only to return home to live with her mother until, a short time later, she had found out about the marriage and sent Linda home to her husband. Linda and JC have been married for 65 years and raised four boys and her two younger sisters.
Linda is known for her friendly spirit and welcoming smile. She was a woman who loved to talk to anyone and everyone about Jesus and her family. She truly never met a stranger.
Linda loved the Lord and was one of His greatest servants. She served in her church, taught Sunday School, organized church skits, did hospital visitations, wrote notes to homebound members, read scriptures, and prayed for others. She followed Christ’s mission in Matthew 28 to go and make disciples of all nations.
Linda, an avid cookbook reader, never followed a recipe and never made it the same way twice. She was accustomed to cooking for a small army, with her five hungry boys (inclusive of JC), nieces, nephews, and the neighborhood kids. A fan favorite was the unmistakable “world famous casserole.” She was always seeking an occasion to bake a cake with fluffy frosting, a pie, or banana pudding. Some would say cooking was her love language.
In her younger days, Linda and her friends would stay busy with tennis, shopping for bargains, dancing at the Bop Club, playing cards, and bird-watching.
After raising her kids, Linda filled her time with two jobs — many knew Linda as their cashier at Kroger (Trinity) or as “Linda from Weight Watchers” (Germantown). She remained disciplined in counting her points after her retirement.
In her golden years, she loved being with family, reminiscing around Memphis with JC, going to church at The Orchard, watching Hallmark and the Game Show Network, listening to the Gaither music, attending Come Alive Dinners at Central Church, meeting with her Ladies of Prayer Group, and enjoying a good hot dog!
As much as she loved her boys, her nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandkids were her joy, and she always told stories about them to anyone who would listen. She was an avid fan of her grandkids’ colleges — often seen in Ole Miss, Arkansas, and Memphis Tigers gear — and of her grandkids’ favorite team, the Memphis Grizzlies.
From daughters-in-law, grandchildren-in-laws, to mothers of daughters-in-law, she welcomed them into her life with open arms and unconditional love, as if they were her own family. The great prayer warrior she was, she consistently kept in touch with old and new friends, sending messages with scripture and reminders that she held these friendships near to her heart.
Preceded in death by her parents, a daughter – Elizabeth, a sister – Nancy Richardson, a brother – Charles Edward, and twin infant brothers. Linda is survived by her loving husband JC Fleming; her four sons – Mark (Martina) of Millington, Bret (Martha) of Nashville, Keith (Melanie) Smith of Bartlett, and Jason (Stacey) of Collierville; nine grandchildren – Amy Dickson, Chad (Leslie) Fleming, Zak (Jeanne) Smith, Austin Smith, Darla (Daniel) Parks, Parker (Allie) Fleming, Meghan Fleming, Jake Fleming, and Callie Fleming; and 17 great-grandchildren. Linda is also survived by her sister Jodi (Curtis) Williams, sister-in-law Kitty Brashier, four nieces, and four nephews.
Those who knew Linda know that she was ready to see Jesus. Though her earthly body has fallen asleep, she walks happy and healed in Heaven with her Lord and Savior.
When the sun sets everyday
I often watch it after play
It turns into a deep dark red
Looks like the blood Jesus shed
I know that God made the sun
I know He made everyone
He made the Son to shine all day
To give us light while we work and play.
- written by Linda Gail, age 8
Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 9 at 10:30 am at The Orchard Church, located at 3690 South Houston Levee Road, Collierville, Tennessee 38017. The funeral will follow at Noon. Burial will be at a later date at the West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – Allie’s Allies (Linda’s granddaughter-in-law).
