Edith Lillian Fleming

Edith Lillian Eighmey Fleming, 80, of Lillington passed away Wednesday July 16, 2025. She was born on September 19, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York to the late Ruth Carr. She was preceded in death by her brother Edward Eighmey, sisters Isabelle Mastrocinque and Ruthann Bernett, and son Edward Fleming.

Edith is survived by loving husband Thomas Fleming, sister Veronica DeMartino, brother Thomas Kelly, children Michael Fleming, Charles Fleming (wife Miranda), Ruth Deunger, step-children Thomas Van Decker (wife Valerie), Heather Heltz (husband Greg), and Rebecca Glaser (husband Mark), 13 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Born into a large family in Greenpoint, Edith was the third of six children. As a child she excelled at tap dancing and enjoyed having many close friends growing up on Newell Street. In her early twenties, Edith took a job at the Leviton factory on the corner of Newell Street and Greenpoint Avenue as a switchboard operator and worked hard to put her two oldest sons through private school. In the late 1970s she relocated to Lillington when her husband’s company moved to North Carolina.

Many will remember her fondly from Fleming's Sandwich Shop, which she owned and operated for twenty-four years in Lillington. Edith had a dream of opening her own business. She and her husband, Tom, built a sandwich shop from the ground up. She began baking, filling the air around the area of 13th and McNeill Streets with the smell of fresh baked bread, at 4am each weekday morning. Her infectious laugh and attractive personality, combined with her skill in baking, all but ensured her business was a great success. People travelled from miles around to buy her sandwiches which were so good they are still remembered by many to this day.

Edith was a dedicated mother, wife, grandmother and friend who treated anyone who she crossed paths with kindness and generosity. Edith loved her grandchildren beyond words. Her faith in God was strong and she attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church every Sunday. Edith handled any struggle with class and perseverance, enjoyed the good times and accomplishments with humility, grace and thankfulness and was always there to help others in need with compassion and care. She will be missed beyond what any words could describe.

Friends and family will be received at 1214 Clark Road in Lillington, Friday July 18, from 5-7pm.

A mass will be held in her honor at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dunn, Tuesday August 12th, at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to St Jude.