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Submitted: 5/9/14 • Approved: 5/9/14 • Last Updated: 8/15/15 • R59903-G59902-S3
1911 - June 5, 2002
FLEMING, GWEN PHILLIPS Former state representative and longtime Democratic activist Gwen Phillips Fleming of Bristol Tennessee died Saturday, Jan. 5, 2002, at Fripp Island, SC She was 90.
Fleming served two terms in the state House of Representatives from 1971 through 1975 and was one of three women from Sullivan County elected to the state legislature. While in office, Fleming served as vice-chairwoman of the legislative committee that helped override a gubernatorial veto and establish the medical school at East Tennessee State University.
Born in 1911 in Castle Haven, Cambridge, Md., she moved to Bristol with her husband, John Fleming, in 1947 and began her political involvement the following year.
Fleming was a charter member and former president of the Sullivan County Democratic Women. She served in the congressional campaigns of Sen. Estes Kefauver in 1948, 1954 and 1960, and served on the state Democrat Executive Committee from 1962-66. She served on the Electoral College and attended the Democratic National Convention in 1964 and again in 1980 for former President Jimmy Carter. In 1992 and 1996, she served on the Electoral College as a delegate for former President Bill Clinton. Fleming served on several state boards and commissions, including the Tennessee Board of Trustees for Mental Health and Mental Retardation, the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, the Tennessee Court of the Judiciary, Eastern State Psychiatric Hospital advisory board, East Tennessee League of Women Voters and the Tennessee Bicentennial Commission. In 1974, she received a commendation from the Tennessee General Assembly for her diligence and effectiveness in championing medical education. In 1979, the Tennessee Commission on the Status of Women honored her for outstanding efforts in promoting opportunities for women. Locally, she served on the board of the United Way of Bristol, the Bristol Regional Rehabilitation Board, the Bristol Mental Health Board, the Bristol Parent Teacher Association Council and the American Heart Association. Fleming is credited with helping establish the first juvenile court in Bristol Tennessee and later served as an advisor to that court. She was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church and served as president of the Women of the Church, chairwoman of St. Elizabeth's Guild, church bazaar, the Alter Guild and church vestry. Fleming was a graduate of Pierce College in Philadelphia and did graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Pennsylvania. She served as a vocational advisor for the Veteran's Administration during World War II and later served as personnel director for a division of the Bendix Corp.
She is survived by her husband, John M. Fleming; two daughters, Ann McLendon of Atlanta, and Gwendolyn Scaff of Columbus, Miss.; three granddaughters, two great -granddaughters and one great-grandson.
Contributed on 5/9/14 by Cemphotovolchic
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Record #: 59903