Zelma Fleeton Fletcher

Zelma Fleeton Fletcher, affectionately known as “ Miss Jackie”, a loving Mama, Grandmother, Grandma and Granny. Born September 15, 1928 in Letohatchee, Alabama to the parentage of J D Fleeton and Rosalie Kelly Fleeton. 

Zelma lived a long enjoyable life. She was a member of First Missionary Baptist Church in Biloxi, Mississippi and Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

Zelma loved working. She began working at a very young age assisting her grandmother, Louisiana Kelly, renowned midwife of Lowdnes County, Alabama “catching babies”. She also help raise her nephew, James “Jim/Joe” Sharpe, her “baby doll” she shared with her little sister Bertha Mae. While on her journey sharing her beautiful smile, she enjoyed working as a barmaid and waitress in Montgomery, Alabama, Macon, Georgia and Grand Rapids, Michigan. She work many years as a barmaid at The Brown Gal “Jackie’s Place” in Biloxi, Mississippi. She also worked for Howard Johnson Hotel in Mississippi and Michigan. In her later years, always wanting to stay busy working and being out amongst people, she helped cook soul food and serve customers at Southern Kitchen in Biloxi, Mississippi; she really enjoyed and perfected cooking soul food.

Zelma enjoyed her children and grandchildren; she enjoyed watching her son and grandsons play football, baseball and basketball; she enjoyed playing cards (Tonk) with her family; for relaxation and self enjoyment, she loved fishing.

Zelma is preceded in death by her parents, her first and second husbands, Willie Paul James of Macon, Georgia and Vandy Fletcher, Jr. of Birmingham, Alabama; six children: four sons, Willie C “Bear” James (Linda), Johnnie B. James (Queenie), Vandy Fletcher, Jr., and Herbert C Fletcher (Penny), two daughters: Zelma Elaine James Durham (Jeffery) and Betty Jean Fletcher Collins (Bedford); three brothers, J D Fleeton, Jr., Mose Fleeton and Walter James Fleeton, four sisters: Lorraine Sharpe, Bertha Mae Green, Olivia Kemp and Susie Fleeton Smith; and her youngest granddaughter Vanesha Ka’Trice Collins. 

Zelma is survived by her daughter, Minnie Jean Fuller (Tony), grandchildren: William James, Jeffrey James, David James, Stacy James, Tony Gardner, Carla James, John Duane James, Michael James, Therese James, Hasson Demetrius Wilborn, Canary Wilborn, Kevin Vandy Shelton, Vanessa Love, Ryan D. Collins, Anthony Vandy Collins, Janiqua Latice Swanigan, Herbert C. Fletcher, Jr., and a host of nieces and nephews. 

 A memorial service for Zelma Fleeton Fletcher will be held Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 2:00PM at Infinity Funeral Home Chapel, 184 Main St., Biloxi, MS 39530. Reception to follow at Infinity Funeral Home Reception Hall.