Jonna Fleming

Jonna Dean Pittman Fleming was born to John Lee Pittman and Ora Diener (Deane) Magee Pittman in Taylor, Texas on September 21, 1940. The family was completed with the birth of sister Jill Lee 8 years later. Jonna spent the majority of her childhood in Smithville, up on ‘The Hill’ (Mt. Pleasant neighborhood).

Jonna married Jimmie Gordon (Doc) Fleming in Houston on September 22, 1958. After a few years working for Shell Oil in downtown Houston she became pregnant with their first child, a son named Jimmie Jay, and she took a break from outside work to raise their children. Jay was joined two years later by Jeffrey Gordon, and then two years after that Jonathan Curtis completed the family.

After a mid-life career change for Jimmie the family moved back to Smithville. As the boys grew older Jonna enrolled in college to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. Traveling after work and during the summer to schools including Austin Community College, Prairie View A&M and the then-Southwest Texas State University, she received her degree from that school and began to teach Kindergarten at Brown Elementary in Smithville. She remained in that position until she retired.

Jimmie passed away September 14th, 2015 after a lengthy illness. Since that time Jonna focused on serving God as well as her church, community and being Nana to a growing family.

Jonna was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church in Smithville, involved in children’s education, missions support, music ministry and for the last few years teaching an adult Sunday School class. She saw life itself as a series of opportunities to bless others in Jesus’ name.

After a lengthy struggle with cancer Jonna passed into a greater experience of eternal life on July 14th, 2023.

She is survived by sons Jay Fleming (Lisa) of Goliad, Jeff Fleming (Cathy) of Smithville, and Jonathan Fleming of the Oak Hill community in Bastrop County; sister Jill Glenewinkel (Hal) of Woodsboro; 8 grandchildren: Bethany Castro (Ruben) of Victoria, Kristen Smith (Jeff) of Little River, Katelyn Fleming of San Marcos, Samantha Tamble (Mark) of Bryan, John Fleming (Shaylee) of the Oak Hill community, Jamie  Karnei (Kristofer) of Goliad, Evan Fleming (Lorien) of San Angelo and Emily Fleming of Round Rock. Also 8 great-grandchildren: Aerlene Karnei, Audrianna Castro, Alaska Castro, Korbyn Karnei, Taron Fleming, Adaline Karnei, Canyon Castro and Kai Fleming.

Visitation will be at Marrs-Jones Smithville chapel on Friday, July 21st from 5:30-7:00 PM. Service will be at First Baptist Church of Smithville on Saturday, July 22nd at 10:30 AM.

Pallbearers are John Fleming, Evan Fleming, Jeff Smith, Mark Tamble, Kristofer Karnei and Ruben Castro.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to trusted charities or ministries involved in helping others. One which was close to her heart is the work of her nephew Trey Fleming and family in Osaka, Japan. You may support this work by visiting imb.org/generosity/give-now/. There select an amount, then ‘missionary or team’. Type “Fleming in honor of Jonna” and “Japan” in the appropriate boxes and follow the directions to complete your donation.