Obituary for Rebecca Joyce Fleming (Leaton)
Mrs. Rebecca Joyce Leaton Fleming, known as Becky, of Plano, Texas, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Friday, January 6, 2023 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Becky was born on April 18, 1949 in Dallas, Texas and grew up in Oak Cliff. She attended Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) and received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education from Stephen F. Austin State University. In 1970, Becky married Jerry Michael Fleming, and together they shared 52 years of marriage. They had two children, Erin Elise and Scott Michael. A very loving wife and mother, Becky’s children were her greatest joy and her family was always her top priority.
Becky was a passionate educator for over 40 years. For most of her teaching career, she was a reading specialist for students with learning differences. Becky believed wholeheartedly in the potential of every student. She taught elementary and middle school grades in the Grand Prairie, Oklahoma City, Plano, and Allen school districts and at the Shelton School of Dallas. She was a Teacher of the Year district finalist three times and held a Master Teacher designation. She was also Team Leader many times, was a PAL and pep squad sponsor, and presented at various teaching conferences. Throughout her teaching career, Becky was also very active in her community, serving on numerous boards and committees.
Throughout her life, Becky was a dedicated believer in the Christian faith, and she acted out her faith with her abiding kindness and generosity toward others. She was an active member of the Reformed Church in Plano until her health declined.
Becky was an incredibly optimistic person and a stalwart model of integrity. She had an uninhibited zest for life and loved to laugh. She was extremely patient, and a fantastic listener with a warm, friendly smile. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Becky was preceded in death by her mother, Vivian McLeland Leaton; father, John Pershing Leaton; brothers, Johnny and Paul Leaton. She is survived by her loving husband, Jerry; daughter, Erin Fleming Kotze, and husband, Werner of Frisco, Texas; son, Scott Fleming, and wife, Katie, of Irwin, Pennsylvania; sister Kimberly Gordon, and husband Martyn, of Keller, Texas; and four grandchildren, Rachel Kotze, Alexis Fleming, Grant Kotze, and Marcus Kotze. She is dearly loved by her sister-in-law, nieces, and cousins.
A family graveside service will be held on Friday, January 13th in Winnsboro, TX. A Celebration of Life will take place later in January. The family has designated the Alzheimer’s Association for memorial contributions in honor of Becky.
Becky was born on April 18, 1949 in Dallas, Texas and grew up in Oak Cliff. She attended Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) and received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education from Stephen F. Austin State University. In 1970, Becky married Jerry Michael Fleming, and together they shared 52 years of marriage. They had two children, Erin Elise and Scott Michael. A very loving wife and mother, Becky’s children were her greatest joy and her family was always her top priority.
Becky was a passionate educator for over 40 years. For most of her teaching career, she was a reading specialist for students with learning differences. Becky believed wholeheartedly in the potential of every student. She taught elementary and middle school grades in the Grand Prairie, Oklahoma City, Plano, and Allen school districts and at the Shelton School of Dallas. She was a Teacher of the Year district finalist three times and held a Master Teacher designation. She was also Team Leader many times, was a PAL and pep squad sponsor, and presented at various teaching conferences. Throughout her teaching career, Becky was also very active in her community, serving on numerous boards and committees.
Throughout her life, Becky was a dedicated believer in the Christian faith, and she acted out her faith with her abiding kindness and generosity toward others. She was an active member of the Reformed Church in Plano until her health declined.
Becky was an incredibly optimistic person and a stalwart model of integrity. She had an uninhibited zest for life and loved to laugh. She was extremely patient, and a fantastic listener with a warm, friendly smile. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Becky was preceded in death by her mother, Vivian McLeland Leaton; father, John Pershing Leaton; brothers, Johnny and Paul Leaton. She is survived by her loving husband, Jerry; daughter, Erin Fleming Kotze, and husband, Werner of Frisco, Texas; son, Scott Fleming, and wife, Katie, of Irwin, Pennsylvania; sister Kimberly Gordon, and husband Martyn, of Keller, Texas; and four grandchildren, Rachel Kotze, Alexis Fleming, Grant Kotze, and Marcus Kotze. She is dearly loved by her sister-in-law, nieces, and cousins.
A family graveside service will be held on Friday, January 13th in Winnsboro, TX. A Celebration of Life will take place later in January. The family has designated the Alzheimer’s Association for memorial contributions in honor of Becky.