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Obituary for Joe Louis Fleming

Joe Louis Fleming, 79, of Cordova, TN, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2025, in Memphis, TN.

Born on June 23, 1946, in Memphis, TN, Joe was the cherished son of Willie C. and Ardessie B. Fleming. He grew up in Memphis, where in his early childhood, he developed a lifelong passion for fishing. On May 14, 1966, Joe married his devoted wife, Annie Pearl Yarbrough. Together, they created a warm and joyful home filled with love and laughter in Memphis before moving to Waukegan, IL, in 1968, where they lived until his retirement.  In December 2012, Joe and Annie returned to Tennessee, and after finding their dream home, they settled happily in the city of Cordova.

Joe had a distinguished career as a Laborer for the City of Waukegan for thirty years. He was known for his untiring dedication for helping others, and his skillful craftsmanship as a City Works truck driver, working long and arduous hours, ensuring the streets of Waukegan were clean. Beyond his professional life, he cherished spending time with his family and friends; serving and worshipping faithfully with his church family, spending time with his fellow Deacons, and traveling with the Senior's Group.   His warm smile, generous spirit, and unwavering love for his family left a lasting impact on all who knew and spent time with him.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Annie Pearl Fleming; his three daughters, Samantha L. Headen (Theadore) of Severn, MD; Pamela D. Chagoya (Ray) and Danielle Torres (Angel) of Waukegan, IL,  six sisters, Annie B. Tate (Charles) of Coldwater, MS; Willie Mae Fleming, Erline Spann (Leon), Claudia Wright, Katherine Grimes (Tim), and Brenda McGuire (Calvin), all of Memphis, TN., and two brothers, Bobby Jones Jr., and James Jones both of Mississippi; 6 grandchildren, Paris Fleming, Cierra and Camron Headen,  Jalen, Jazlyn and Jayda Torres; two great-grandchildren, Kiana Copal of Heidelberg, Germany and Jaxon Torres of Waukegan, IL, two brothers and sister-in-laws, Clarence Yarbrough of Memphis, TN, Rayfield Yarbrough of Florence, AL, Geneva Yarbrough of Waukegan, IL and Juanita Jones of Antioch, CA.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Michael L. Spears of Waukegan, IL, five siblings, Ruth Trainer (Mack) of Detroit, MI; Erma Lee (Baby Sis) Cox, Linda Jones, Charlie Fleming (Annie Lee), and Columbus Jones, all of Memphis, TN three sister-in laws, Rosie Lee Yarbrough of Waukegan, IL, Julia Yarbrough (Rayfield) of Florence, AL and Ida Yarbrough (Gilbert) of Cordova, TN and two brother-in laws, James Arthur Yarbrough of Memphis, TN and Gilbert Yarbrough of Cordova, TN.