Sabra Jean Fleming passed away peacefully on August 11, 2017, at the age of 84. She was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on October 11, 1932, to Hoy Austin Farley and Jewel Rebekah Farley.
Sabra spent much of her young life in Tulsa, yet lived in other cities while her father pursued his oil exploration business. She graduated in 1950 from Central High School in Tulsa and then moved to Midland, Texas, where her father had an office in the oil fields.
Sabra attended Texas Tech University where she met the love of her life, Bobby Jack (BJ) Fleming, her husband of over 66 years. They eloped, contrary to her mother's wishes, to Clovis, New Mexico, and were married on June 22, 1951. After they left Texas Tech University, BJ joined the U.S. Army and became a pilot. In 1952, Sabra had her first son, Robert Farley Fleming, in Midland, Texas. During the next few years, they lived on military bases in Virginia and various cities in Texas and Oklahoma while BJ's army career grew. They eventually were stationed in San Francisco, where Sabra had her second son, Michael Arthur Fleming. BJ flew on surveying missions in Alaska while stationed at the famed Presidio at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge.
After leaving the army, Sabra and BJ moved to Tulsa where her parents lived. In 1956, Sabra had her third son, Kevin Austin Fleming. Sabra raised the three boys with never-ending love and devotion. She was Church Secretary at Riverside Baptist Church, helped with all church activities, and served as a Cub Scout den mother. Her many roles included chauffer, nurse, counselor, cook, maid, negotiator, and homework supervisor. She provided endless help and support to her three sons and made sure that they never missed or were late for an appointment. Meals were invariably ready on time and she could always create a special meal for anyone. Her life centered on her boys and her husband. She was the ideal mom, husband, daughter, and truly a kind person. She would listen to problems that people were facing and offer sage, gentle advice.
Sabra and BJ moved 36 times during their marriage living in numerous cities, including the Chicago area; Los Angeles; Baton Rouge; and Port Arthur, Texas.
After settling back in Tulsa, Sabra opened an antique shop, which was her passion. Sabra's Antiques was a great source of pride and enjoyment for her. BJ supported her by helping refinish and move antique furniture as well as building shops. They were quite a team.
Sabra was a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, tracing her Cherokee ancestry back through her mother and grandmother to her great grandparents, who are listed on the Dawes Final Rolls of the Cherokee Nation. She took great pride in her Cherokee roots and was an avid collector of Native American art as well as books on the history of Native Americans, especially Cherokees. Stemming from her childhood experiences, she adored horses and dogs. For most of her adult life, she and BJ had dogs as pets, who were dearly loved and treated as members of the family.
Sabra met many challenges during her life, beginning with growing up in the waning years of the Great Depression. Her father was a Landman in the oil industry, where every day was either feast or famine. She lived through WWII and later her husband served in the army for a number of years. She raised three boys while moving many times during her husband's career with Texaco. Her focus was on the home and she made it a safe and fun place at all times. She never had a harsh word—only listening and compassion. She was truly a kind person and had a wonderful sense of humor.
She will be greatly missed by her family. She is survived by her husband, Bobby Jack Fleming; son, Robert Farley Fleming and wife Carolyn; son, Michael Arthur Fleming and wife Elise Billingsley; son, Kevin Austin Fleming and wife Shanna Igo; granddaughters Rebekah and husband Scott, Kendra and husband Justin, Katherine and husband Devin, and Heather; grandsons Matthew and wife Kassie, and Andrew; great grandsons Brody, Samuel, and Ryker; great granddaughter Raylee; and two additional great grandchildren due in December 2017 and January 2018.
God Bless Sabra for a life of grace, compassion, love, and caring. She is now reunited with her parents.
A Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 14, at Memorial Park Cemetery. A Celebration of her life will be held in the near future with family and friends. Date and location to be announced.
Sabra benefited greatly from the supportive services of the American Cancer Society (ACS). The family requests that donations be made to the ACS in her memory through one of the following means:
ACS telephone number: 1-800-227-2345
ACS website: www.cancer.org
ACS address:
American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 42040
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73123