Arvle S. Fleeman

Arvle S. Fleeman, age 94 died January 21st, 2022 in Maryville, TN at Blount Memorial Hospital. He was a member of the Maryville Church of Christ for over 40 years, previously a member of the Dunbar Road Church of Christ in Monroe, MI. He was retired from Ford Motor Company in Monroe in 1980 after thirty years of employment. From 1945 – 1946 he was known as the Powell River Boy and performed on the Cas Walker’s Farm and Home Hour and the WNOX Tobacco Hour in Knoxville, TN alongside several early country music legends. In 1947, he moved to Monroe, MI obtaining work on the railroad temporarily before being hired by the Kelsey Hayes Wheel Company in 1948. In 1950, Ford Motor bought Kelsey Hayes and it became the Monroe Stamping Plant. Mr. Fleeman greatly enjoyed playing music, especially the guitar. He was self-taught in his early years and was also taught the guitar in his teenage years under the tutelage of Maybelle Carter of the Carter Family, of which he would speak fondly. Listening to various country music legends of the day, his love for country music grew. While working at Ford Motor Company in the 1970’s, several of his friends created a band called The Monroe County Boys. They would perform at various functions around the Monroe area entertaining when they could. He would continue to play up into his 80’s until it became difficult because of arthritis in his hands. He was born in Harrogate, TN on August 25, 1927 to Sterling and Jennie Ann (Cox) Fleeman. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Frank Fleeman, Dewey Fleeman, Jay Fleeman, Glen Fleeman and Luther Fleeman. Preceded in death by his sisters Rosini Brooks, Lily Sandifur, and Eula Longworth. He was also preceded in death by a son David Greer; his first two wives, Mary and Juanita; and son in law Dexter Staton. He was also preceded in death by three grandchildren, Sandra Faye Fultz, Matthew Fultz, and Amanda Fleeman. Also, two great grandchildren, Abel Moyers and Ezra Jane Scheid. He is survived by his wife Helen Fleeman of the home and three sons, Jimmy Fleeman Sr. and wife Julianna of Macedonia, IL, Jeffrey Fleeman and his wife Karen of Columbus, OH, Danny Fleeman of Tallahassee. FL, and daughter-in-law Joan Greer of Monroe, MI. Two daughters, Linda Fultz and David of Delphi, IN, and Sandi Staton of Delphi, IN. Two step children, Sue Berrier of Maryville and Joe Kirkland of Athens, TN. He is survived by a brother David Fleeman of Springfield, OH and a sister, Ethel Williams of Tazewell, TN. He is survived by grandchildren, Angie Moyers and Jason, Jimmy Fleeman Jr. and Angela, Annita Davis and Mike, Alissa Powell and George, Jason Fleeman Sr. and Michelle, Malinda Kelley, Samantha Reyes, Ryan Greer and Rachel, Todd Greer and Chelsea, Joel and Tiffany Fleeman, Beth and Felix Lin, Sean and Shannon Fleeman, Katherine and Charles Haines, Luke and Layne Fleeman and Claire and David Vozniak. He is survived by great grandchildren Anthony Moyers, Annie Hammer, April Kelson, Felicia McPeek, Jacob Fleeman, Ashton Fleeman, Brandon Pariseau, Morgan Powell, Olivia Powell, Jason Fleeman Jr., Breanna Fleeman, Alyvia Fleeman, Emmett Kelley, Jacob Kelley, Joseph Reyes, Abby Campbell, Alex Greer, Zoe Greer, Ryker Yost, Melanie Yost, Cecelia Greer, Coralynn Greer, Cathen Budd, Olivia Fleeman, Ezra Lin, Lydia Lin, Benjamin Lin, Virginia Lin, Jackson Fleeman and Mason Fleeman. He is also survived by great great grandchildren Hannah Moyers, Ezekiel Moyers, Emma Paputza, Coyote Kelson, Jack Kelson, Benjamin Campbell, Lukas Campbell, and Parker McPeek. Several step grandchildren and great grandchildren. In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to WEI, 611 Sherwood Drive, Maryville, TN 37801. Family will receive friends from 9:30AM until 10:00AM on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at Maryville Church of Christ with funeral service to follow at 10:00. Family and friends will assemble at 11:00AM at Sherwood Memorial Gardens for the interment. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Arvle S. Fleeman please visit our Sympathy Store.