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Mack Fleming Obituary

Mack James Fleming HOLLYWOOD, SC - Mack James Fleming, 75, husband of Jo Ann Tobias Fleming, died Monday, July 23, 2018, of natural causes at his residence. Born September 4, 1942 in Alcolu, he was a son of the late Robert Ben Fleming and the late Alma Ruth Morris Fleming. He was a Clemson graduate and a member of Union United Methodist Church at Wilson. He attended Seacoast Church. After graduating with his Master's Degree from Clemson, Mack began his professional career as a teacher at Trident Technical College in Charleston. After about a decade of teaching, he moved on to the next phase of his career - as Director of the Lipton Tea Research Station on Wadmalaw Island. While working for Lipton, Mack traveled much of the world conducting further tea research. While working for Lipton, he also developed and patented a one-of-a-kind mechanical tea harvester, based on a combine tractor he had worked on his family farm. In 1987 he and his business partner purchased the tea farm from Lipton, and the Charleston Tea Plantation was born. Mack lectured widely on tea horticulture and developed propagation techniques that were valued both at home and abroad. During this time, he also worked as a consultant in Hawaii and for the Ministry of Agriculture in Egypt, as well as for leaders in tea development in the Republic of Georgia and Brazil. In 2003 Mack sold the Charleston Tea Plantation and returned to teaching generations of students at Trident Technical College. He retired in 2015 at the age of 72, to focus on his own Carolina Select Tea, and to spend time with his wife, children, and beloved grandchildren. Mack's skill with all plants, trees, and flowers was extraordinary. One of his former students said it best: "This planet is a better and more beautiful place because of him." He is survived by his wife of Hollywood; a son, Mack Randall Fleming (Beth) of Hollywood; two daughters, Virginia Fleming Joczik (Mark) of Crozet, Virginia and Sarah Fleming McLester (Donald) of Wadmalaw Island; two brothers, Bob Fleming (Catherine) of Manning and Joe Fleming (Mary) of Alcolu; two sisters, Dorothy Garnett of Florence and Thelma Huggins (Dick) of Garden City; six grandchildren, Elizabeth Joczik, William Joczik, Harrison Fleming, Edward Joczik, Landon Fleming and Tanner Fleming; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2018, at Union United Methodist Church at Wilson, with his nephews, the Revs. Todd Fleming and Jim Fleming officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, July 27, 2018 at Stephens Funeral Home in Manning, SC. Memorials may be made to Wilson Community Cemetery at Union United Methodist Church, c/o Buddy Holladay, 7786 Greeleyville Highway, Manning, SC 29102. Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church Street, Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Jul. 25 to Jul. 26, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Mack Fleming

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David Vail

July 19, 2021

There is not a day that I do not think of Mack. Working in the yard, driving through the countryside seeing horticulture and agriculture make me smile as I remember his love for plants and life.
It is a great honor to have been Mack´s friend.
David Vail

Janet Mullins

August 22, 2018

Dear Ann,
I was so sorry to hear of Mack's passing. What a kind, intelligent, caring and funny human being! He did so very much in his lifetime and did it with style and humor! Generous beyond generous. Prayers for comfort to all of you. Cling to your great memories,

Gerald Teaster

July 31, 2018

Ann and family, we're so sorry to hear about Mack's passing. I worked with Mack for several years at TEC and remember him fondly. I will always remember his sense of humor and his dedication to his students. He was a fine man and affected the lives of many people. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Gerald and Mary Teaster

Louisa Tobias

July 30, 2018

Mack was a huge part of our family and we all cheered for his success with the tea farm. He gave of himself freely to each of us and treated us like siblings. I know that Mack's brothers & sisters cherished him; Mack's 2 nephews, Todd & Jim Fleming comforted all of us with their tender service at the funeral. We were all fortunate to have him in our lives.

Annie Borlik

July 28, 2018

My heartfelt condolences to the Fleming family. As a former student of Mack's, I know he will be missed in the horticulture community. Mack was a great influence in the education and the careers of many, such an enduring legacy.

Laura Pelham

July 28, 2018

Dear Ann, Jennie, Sarah, and Randall,
I am so heartbroken and I know you must be so incredibly sad.
Mack was the best!! He was so kind, interesting, thoughtful, smart, and very funny. He will be remembered with such wonderful memories. My heart goes out to you at this very difficult time.

Millie Atkinson

July 27, 2018

Ann and family,
Please know you are close in our prayers. Oh, how we loved Mack!! Always so much fun to be around. Our lives are better for having known him.
He certainly loved his family and especially you, Ann.
Now praying for peace and strength for all of you!!
Paul and Millie

Celebration of Life Standing Spray

a loved one

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David and Jane Vail

July 26, 2018

As one of three students in Mack's first class at Trident Tech, I was not only privileged to have him as a great teacher but gained an encourager and a friend for life. I regret not spending more time with him. I know I will continue thinking of him often. We have all been richly blessed by having Mack as a friend.

Barbara Dunning

July 26, 2018

Jenny, Sorry about your father's passing. Will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Elizabeth Norris

July 26, 2018

Mack and Ann are long time friends of my parents, but they immediately unofficially adopted my sister and me when we were born. Mack has always been genuinely interested in my life. He, of course, loved that I chose Clemson for college. He always had a joke to tell me. I will especially miss his sweet, southern drawl. Praying for you, Ann and family!

Charles Schuster

July 26, 2018

Dear Family and Friends:
For me, observing Mack and Bill start Charleston Tea Farm in 1987 -2000 was a
Rewarding, Learning and Professional
Experience that I will always cherish in my life. Through All The Trials and Tribulations
Of Launching A New Business, Mack was always a Professional. He made being A Clemson Alumnus Proud

Dan Coleman

July 26, 2018

Ginny and family: So sorry to hear the news, but I'm sure you are comforted by great memories. Mac Fleming was truly one of a kind, always yearning to learn more wherever he found himself.

Sherry Shealy Martschink

July 26, 2018

Love the photo of Mack with the cup of tea. So perfect. I am so sorry to leearn of his death. I enjoyed getting to know him and working with him on various things. Such a nice person. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

larry wolfe

July 26, 2018

it was a pleasure to see mack everyday at tea farm also sara..some of the nicest family anywhere!.rip my friend..now you are home..

Hope Long

July 26, 2018

I will miss seeing Mr.Fleming's smiling face. He was a very kind mind and I feel blessed to have known him. Hope-SCU

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