Judy L. Fleming

Judith Stagg Fleming, 78, of Jonesboro would like to announce her change of address, effective April 25, 2017. To reach her, just think of her when you are in nature or with animals. Her Life's Journey began. . . Judy was born April 21, 1939 in Memphis, Tennessee to Carey and Nadine Stagg of Brinkley, Arkansas. She graduated from Brinkley High School in 1957. Judy received a BSE from Arkansas State University in 1962. While at A.S.U., she was an ROTC Honorary Cadet, member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, a Pi Kappa Alpha Sweetheart. In 1959, she was a contestant in the Miss Arkansas Beauty Contest. Traveled Life's Pathway. . . After college, Judy Fleming taught 6th Grade in Monette. Her social work began when she and other Jonesboro women raised seed money (via rummage sales) and established an organization called Suspected Child and Neglect (SCAN.) Then Judy was hired to help Displaced Homemakers in Jonesboro. She became a licensed social worker. What grew strong in her was the desire to help people who were struggling emotionally/physically in life. Touched the Hearts of Others. . . Judy returned to college and in 1984, she earned a Masters Degree from A.S.U. in Counseling. A business partner and she opened Counseling Associates, a private counseling practice. (These two women were the first counselors in private practice in Jonesboro.) Judy believed her counseling career was her "life calling." Each morning on the way to work, she'd ask God, "Who do you have for me today?" This work fit like hand and glove. Joy unspeakable. The Holy Spirit at work. She was giving out from overflow. She considered it a privilege to serve the Lord in this capacity. She had a reverence for this work where she gave love, listening and problem-solving skills. She was married to Tom Fleming. In 1991, Tom and Judy built a cabin in the Ozark Mountains near Melbourne. This became a place of retreat for others and for herself. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends there, pursuing her interests with horses, a saw-mill, primitives, medicinal plants, music, nature, and art. When asked, she said, "It's a place to fix a pot of beans and cornbread, to listen to a good thunderstorm, to bake sweet potatoes in the fireplace, a place to laugh and a place to be quiet." Her ultimate goal for Lone Oak Cabin in the midst of acres of wildlife was to create a retreat for the "emotionally wounded" people, providing a place where they could be healed from the blows that life had dealt them. Always, her passion was to help others. (Tom Fleming stayed in the background, helping her help others.) Clearly, Judy loved solitude, but she also loved her friends. You know who you are. One set of friends called themselves "the Camper Queens" or Tom lovingly called them "the Woo Woos." They were expressive, responsible women who were/are children of God. They would get together like children in a neighborhood: for the pure joy of it. If there was any agenda, it was to learn more about the Holy Spirit working in each other's lives. Intercessory prayer was an important part of the group. They were unafraid of tears and delighted in laughter. Judy Fleming is survived by her husband Tom Fleming of the home. Other survivors include: a daughter Leigh Ann Coulon (Don Coulon) of Mabelvale, Arkansas, and a son, Mark Stogsdill (Mary Trogdon - partner) of Nashville, Tennessee; one sister, Celeste Pettigrew of Clarendon, Arkansas; grandchildren, Ashley Coulon Jackson (D.J.), Jeremy Coulon (Julia), Christa Coulon Briggs (Josh), Cami Coulon McClain (K.C.); and great-grandchildren, Jericho, Jeremiah, Bryce, Jaxon, Brynlee, Hadlee, Paisli and Tatum; numerous nieces and nephews; Robert Hargraves, special friend to Tom and Judy; a host of friends. A word for Tom: "Thank you for standing in the gap. Always, I could count on you. May the Lord bless you." Words for Leigh Ann and Mark: "May the Lord keep you in the palm of His hand. And know that I'm keeping you. Always, you are mine." She admired Leigh Ann's wisdom and nursing skills, commenting on how Leigh Ann thinks a lot like she does. With Mark, there is an unspeakable intimacy. No words needed. "He is precious like my daddy was precious: we read each other's faces or hold hands and know the other's heart." Judy was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Cary Jean Rose. And found Peace. . . Judy was raised Baptist and was baptized in First Baptist Church, Brinkley, Arkansas. Judy tells how she loved the Lord from childhood. At one point she considered becoming a nun but decided she loved horses too much to do that. As an adult, she joined the First Presbyterian Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas, but she felt at home in any Christian church anywhere. While spending time in the Ozarks, Judy enjoyed two churches: Twin Creek Church of Christ and eventually joined Mount Olive Cumberland Presbyterian. Judy supported several organizations, especially the Fellowship of Christians and Jews, Wounded Warriors Project, and the NEA Humane Society. Also, her interest remained high regarding Hospice, hoping to one day serve the dying. Memorial services will be held at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro, Arkansas at 2 p.m. Friday, April 28, 2017, with friends conducting the service. Visitation will be Friday from 12 noon until service time. Burial will be private. In lieu of coming to the burial, Judy asks that you take the time to enjoy your family and friends (Memorials may be given to: NEA Humane Society, the Wounded Warriors Project, Fellowship of Christians and Jews or an organization of your choice.) Online registry at www.emersonfuneralhome.com.