By: Crystal D. Robinson
Don’t cry, please dry your eyes I don’t want to see your tears as I look down from the heavenly skies Every life is exists for a reason My purpose has been fulfilled so it was the end of my season I hope you all know how much loved you I hope you all remember the good times I had with each of you Don’t wallow in sorrow Believe there is a better tomorrow I will be with you every step of the way Carry me in your hearts always I know you are hurt and in pain But just remember trouble doesn’t last always I love you all So please stand tall Don’t hang your heads Remember me until we meet again
LeVan Fleming, Jr.
A
t 7:03 am on the cold morning of Friday, February 19, 1982, proud parents, the late LeVan ‘Mike’ Fleming Sr & Veronica Fleming Lobbins, welcomed a 9 lb 7 oz bouncing baby boy into the world who they named LeVan Fleming Jr. He became known as Van or Lil Mike by friends and family. From the moment they laid eyes on him they knew Van would be special. Van was truly a momma’s boy and would move heaven and earth to keep his mom happy. In 1988 Van gained a new best friend when his baby sister Candace Rene’ Fleming-Foster was born. Van played the role of the overprotective big brother all too well. Over the years the two siblings formed an unbreakable bond. In 2019 Van became the Godfather to Candace’s firstborn son Jeremiah DeVan Foster & will be the guardian angel for her yet to be born son, LeVan Michael Foster. Van accepted Christ as his Lord and personal Savior at an early age. He graduated from Westwood High School in 2001 and later attended and graduated from Tennessee Tech. Van was a self-made man & entrepreneur who was good with his hands. He was skilled in auto mechanics, home repairs, & home remodeling. However, Van’s true gift & passion was barbering. VKutz became a household name to all who had the pleasure of sitting in Van’s chair to have their hair cut by such a talented master barber. VKutz closed shop one final time on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, when God called LeVan home. In 2000, Van’s pride & joy, his daughter, Ciara Symone Fleming was born. Van loved his daughter & was so proud of her accomplishments. He loved watching Ciara grow into a beautiful young lady who he bragged on whenever he could. The father & daughter duo shared a special relationship. Van would do anything he could to protect his daughter & to keep a smile on her face. He passed on his gifted hands to Ciara, who is also a hair care professional, & he was beyond impressed by her work. Van wanted nothing but the best for his little girl whom he loved dearly. In 2005, Van met his soulmate, Crystal Robinson Fleming. They were two peas in a pod for over a decade & built a beautiful life together for their young blended family. With this union, he gained another daughter, Alexandria Robinson. Entering Alexandria’s life at an early age, Van treated her like she was his own. Van & Alex shared love for cheering the Steelers on to victory. They also loved playing Call of Duty & 2K on Playstation where Van taught Alex to play the games well enough to beat him.
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Van had a true passion for life. He loved laughing and spending time with his best brothers, Clinton Caples III, Roy Little, Jr., Edward Glover, Jermaine Harris, Melvin Edwards, Sr., Willie Massey, Jr., and Leonard A. Carr. Van’s candor & comedic approach kept everyone in stitches. The group of friends made a lifetime of memories along the way and they formed a strong brotherhood. He also shared a close relationship with his cousins LaToya Caples-Boyd & LaTricia Massy Harvell, who were more like sisters to him. Neighbor, Jesse Anderson, and Van formed a strong uncle and nephew type of relationship over the years and remained close. Van was preceded in death by his father, LeVan ‘Mike’ Fleming Sr & two of his favorite aunts & uncles Linda Caples & Melvin Edwards. He was also preceded in death by his aunt Earlene ‘TT’ Thomas, Uncle Jesse Tinsley, and his cousins Willie ‘Bo’ Massey III, William Franklin, & Melvin Franklin. To know Van was to love him. Van left a lasting impression on everyone who met him. To cherish his memory he leaves his beloved mother, Veronica Fleming Lobbins, and his great father figure who he formed a special bond with, Rufus Lobbins, Jr. He leaves his beautiful daughters, Ciara Fleming & Alexandria Robinson. He also leaves his sisters; Candace (Jeremy) FlemingBoyd, Ida Fleming, & Barbara Fleming, & one brother, Patrick Fleming; four aunts Brenda Massey, Joyce Franklin, Ora Edwards, and Willie Mae Hearn, two uncles Willie Massey Sr. & Clinton Caples Jr., and his love Crystal Robinson Fleming. LeVan leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, loved ones, & friends to forever cherish his memory & remember him always for being the remarkable person that he was.
C
herished Memories
My Best Friend “Bestfrrrrriend, I can’t believe you’re gone! There’s so much we hadn’t talked about, so many places we hadn’t been, so many tasks we hadn’t accomplished. My diary, my headache, my best friend, my first and last love. The love you gave me was unexplainable, the hugs could never be shared with anyone else. Only if heaven had a phone, I know they’d probably get sick of our hourlong phone conversations. I can hear you now, “Ciara listen to me, I was your age before.” I’ll never forget the millions we talked about making and I’m going to do just that. A true friend I could talk to when times were good or bad, one of the greatest blessings, that man I honored, my dad. Partners for life and even after that. I love you forever Dada.” Forever your Little Girl, Ciara
I Appreciate You I appreciate you for being my father. I appreciate you for teaching me that unconditional love knows no bounds and that family isn’t defined by blood. I appreciate you for treating me like your own and never making me question otherwise. I appreciate you as an artist, barber, handyman, comedian, best friend, and most importantly, a father. Van, you taught me to enjoy the little things in life and to embrace those around me...I appreciate it.
LTributes oving
Love You Forver, Alex
By: Crystal D. Robinson LeVan you will be missed more than you will ever know But we thank God for the time we had and how much we enjoyed you so The hurt and pain we feel cannot be measured We never thought you would leave us ever We know that God makes no mistakes We also knew that you were his to take While we mourn and seem engulfed in sadness We will remember all the times you had us laughing We will remember your smiling face We will remember you every step of the way LeVan we will never forget you and we will never let you be forgotten We love you and will miss you and will think of you often
~ Honorary Pallbearers ~
Willie Massey, Jr. LaTricia Massey LaToya Caples Boyd Brandon Burton Jerold Franklin Ricky Franklin
~ Active Pallbearers ~ Jermaine Harris Melvin Edwards Clinton Caples, III Edward Glover Roy Little, Jr. Darin Turner, Sr.
~Committal Rites & Interment~
Monday, November 30, 2020 • 11:00 A.M. Calvary Cemetery 1663 Elvis Presley Blvd. • Memphis, Tennessee 38106
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