Fleming Milledge Sr., 82, of Offerman, passed away Tuesday evening, June 20, 2023, at the HCA Florida Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, FL, following a short illness.
He was born in Patterson March 28, 1941, and was the son of the late Johnny Milledge Sr. and Minnie Jernigan Milledge. He dedicated his life to Christ at an early age and rededicated his life to Christ at Macedonia Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Johnny Gipson.
He was educated at the Pierce County Training School (PCTS), Patterson. His ambition to live a better life led him to become an entrepreneur. While his work career began as an agricultural worker, he thrived on doing things his way and on his own terms. As an entrepreneur, he simultaneously owned and worked a farm, a nightclub, a car wash, a restaurant and a brick masonry business. He was affectionately known as the hardest-working man in the area.
Community activities included his service on the Offerman, City Council since 1996. He has served in this capacity since the origination of Offerman being declared an official city in the state of Georgia.
He was also a former member of the Consolidated Men’s Club of Pierce County, board member of the Pierce County Training School (PCTS) and an active member of the Edward “Bud” Newton Community Center, Patterson.
He loved his entire family. Spending time with family and special friends brought him joy and happiness. He loved to travel, listen to loud music, joke, laugh and indulge in his versions of storytelling. He enjoyed singing in the Macedonia Baptist Church Choir. Family reunions were what he looked most forward to because he cherished gathering as a family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny Sr. and Minnie Milledge; his daughter, Mamie Jean Milledge; his sisters, Virginia Green and Betty Jean Fuller and brothers, Jimmy Lee Jernigan, David Milledge and William Milledge.
He leaves to cherish his memories a loving wife, Vivian Rivers Milledge; two sons, Fleming (Tiffany) Milledge Jr., Jesup and Lorenzo (Kimberly) Rivers, Waycross; eight daughters, Sherrie (Waldo) Moody, Byron, Amy (Spencer) Kelly, Kathleen, Tisha (Dionisio) Hyman, Savannah, Beatrice (Perry) Burton, Brunswick, Shaneik (Smith) Nabor, Savannah, Peachess Wilson, Albany, Virginia “Gynni” (Allen) Bythwood, Waycross and LaKea Hunter, Jacksonville, FL; 28 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; a sister, Agnes Jenkins, Patterson; three brothers, Johnny Milledge Jr., Patterson, Franklin Delaware (Gloria Jean) Milledge, Offerman and Herman (Janet) Mitchell, Ft. Washington, MD; special nieces, Minnie McBride, Patterson and Tasha Ross, Tifton; goddaughter, Tonya (Tommy) Lowmon, Atlanta; a dedicated group of family and friends from Jacksonville, FL and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, June 23, at the funeral home, 505 Ware Street, Blackshear.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 24, from the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 3383 Tyre Bridge Road, Patterson with the Rev. Marcus Nix, pastor, presiding and the Rev. Jackie Rivers offering words of comfort.
Interment followed in the St. James Missionary Baptist Church (the Ridge) Cemetery near Patterson.
Active pallbearers will be his nephews, Eugene Arnold, Chandler Baker, Edward Green, Jerry Green, Tyrone Myles and Antonio Washington.
Flower attendants will be nieces and nephews.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.raingememorialchapelinc.com.
Rainge Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
