Joyce Ann Fleming

Joyce A. Fleming, age 72, of Paola, Kansas, died December 13, 2016. Joyce was born September 6, 1944 at Kansas City, Missouri. She was the fifth of eight children born to Walter O. Shafer and Mildred (Renfrow) Shafer Beckett. She was married to Richard R. Temple on October 21, 1961. They made their home in Kansas City, Missouri and became the parents of three children. Their marriage ended in an amicable divorce. She was united in marriage to James W. Fleming, Jr. on December 8, 1978 at Paola. They made their home in Paola and became the parents of one son. Joyce loved the outdoors. She enjoyed planting flowers and tending to her house plants. She loved to travel and enjoyed frequent trips to New England by train. Embroidery was another of her favorite pastimes. She shared a very personal bond with each and every one of her grandchildren. She was a fierce competitor in playing video games. Joyce was fondly known to her grandchildren as "Princess Zelda." She will be remembered for her delicious batches of fudge. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband James on June 8, 1997, son James Temple who died June 19, 2011, two brothers Michael and Steve Shafer, and one sister Sharon G. Barnes. She is survived by her children Elizabeth "Libbie" Evans (Robert) of Paola, Patricia Treat (Tim) of Rochester, New Hampshire, and Jason Fleming of Olathe, Kansas; one sister Nina R. Branstetter of Osawatomie; three brothers Walter L. Shafer (Patricia) of Chandler, Arizona, Mark R. Beckett of Riverside, Missouri, and John W. Beckett (Arnita) of North Kansas City, Missouri; 12 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren; many other relatives and friends. Contributions in memory of Joyce can be made to the American Cancer Society and can be sent in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 305 N. Pearl, Paola, KS, 66071. To leave a message for Joyce's family, please click the "Share Memories" tab above.