01/24/2026
Ronald Farris Fleming, age 83 of Clintwood, Virginia, went to his eternal heavenly home on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Farris was born to the late Dewey and Georgia (Killen) Fleming on February 17, 1942. He grew up on his parents small farm on Lower Georges Fork and attended Dickenson Memorial High School. After high school he enlisted in the United States Army where he served between 1960-66, in which he obtained rank as a staff sergeant, based mainly in Alaska.
Farris provided for and helped raise three sons. He made it a mission in life to love his neighbors as himself, in which he continually shined his light brightly and made everyone he met smile or laugh. Farris became beloved in the Clinchco community in his younger years while delivering the mail on Rt. 1, always leaving a piece of bubble gum in the box and gifts for the kids at Christmastime. He abided by the old postal creed of completing his deliveries in the rain, hail, sleet or snow. He also became very well known for his steadfast friendship, reliability, and willingness to serve others. Farris’s banjo picking, tricks, pranks, biscuits and gravy, and homemade wine making left people grinning and their bellies satisfied. Many people knew Farris by his nicknames “Mail Buzzard” and CB handle, “Stamp Licker”, but his grandchildren knew him simply as “Pa”.
Farris was a dedicated Masonic lodge member for 53 years which included Allied Masonic Degrees. After retiring from the Postal Service, Farris committed his time to his family, fishing, scuba diving, and a successful custom upholstery business located near Camp Jacob, where he served his community with quality work and fair prices. In recent years he and his wife Rosalie enjoyed their time as part-time snowbirds in Florida.
In addition to his parents, Farris was preceded in death by his brothers, Tarncie, Ivan “Burr”, and Jim Fleming, sisters, Maxie Davis, Lurie Willis, and Juanita Mullins, son, Dwain Fleming, bonus son, Scott C. Mullins, grandson, Jesse Fleming, father-in-law and mother-in-law Ferd & Icy McCowan, mother of his children, Mary Fleming, along with several beloved sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.
Farris is survived by his wife of 33 years, Rosalie (McCowan) Fleming, twin sons, Larry (Donna) Fleming, Garry (Karey) Fleming, and by bonus daughter, Summer (Jimmy) Runyon all of Clintwood. By his siblings, Peg Wiggington and brother Virgil Fleming both of Clintwood. He is also survived by grandchildren Tonya Butts, Tabitha (Jack) Wallace, Greg (Kelsey) Fleming, Nikki (Chad) Bartlett, Nathaniel (Kaylee) Fleming, Amanda (Chris) Hodges, Airica Dotson, and Nicholas Dotson, along with 17 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren on the way.
Family and friends are invited to gather for a celebration of Farris’s life at the Mullins Funeral Home chapel on Wednesday, January 28, beginning with visitation at 11:30 a.m. followed by service at 1:00 p.m. with Brother Randy Carter officiating. A private burial will follow at the Dewey Fleming Cemetery on Camp Jacob Rd., Clintwood. Pallbearers will be family and friends.
The family would like to express gratitude to Dr. Shepard and staff at Veteran’s Affairs clinic in Norton along with the other doctors and staff that contributed to Farris’s medical care, as well as the Clintwood Masonic Lodge, Georges Fork Church, and the Mullins Funeral Home staff.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you please make a donation in memory of Farris to a veteran’s based charity or ministry of your choice.
