THE LIFE STORY OF FRANCIS MARIE FLEMING

Francis Marie Fleming – beloved mother, grandmother, sister, trailblazing entrepreneur, and woman of incomparable style and grace was born in Houston, Texas on October 26th, 1943. Her parents, Cal Hill and Annie Mae Stewart, and her grandmother, Rachel Welch, raised Francis alongside her five siblings – Robert, Ray, Edna, Patricia, and Craig. Known early on for her strong and independent mind, Francis was always ready to stand her ground – especially against her brother, Ray, who she says was fond of "trying to tell her what to do." The elders kept order the old fashioned way, but through it all, the siblings remained deeply bonded. Whether that was making dolls out of used coke bottles with her sister, or getting into mischief with her brother, Francis had a special way of connecting with each of them.

After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in 1961 at the age of 17, Francis set her sights on a lifelong dream – living in Los Angeles. With ticket money courtesy of her brother, Robert, and her immeasurable faith, she left Houston for California and enrolled in Los Angeles City College. This period would define what we now know as Francis's incredible work ethic, as she would go on to work and pay her way through college and transfer to Woodbury University, graduating with a degree in business in 1963 – an achievement that would set the standard for her career ahead.

For most this would be the highlight of their lives, but for Francis, the work was just beginning. Straight out of college, she landed a job at the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, where her work ethic carried her to success in almost every aspect of the business world – from the California Teacher's Association, to Prudential Insurance, traveling the country as a motivational speaker with the renowned Jim Rohn, Brookside Memorial Park and Allen Dave Funeral Homes, starting her own credit repair business, and excelling as a saleswoman with Mary Kay cosmetics, Princess House Crystal, Tupperware, Amway, Herbalife, and any jewelry and handbags she could get her hands on.

Her greatest professional ambition, however, was building an insurance agency of her own. In 2019, at the ripe age of 75, that dream was realized when she joined the Senior Life Insurance Company and opened her agency, The Fleming Group, where her leadership has fostered over 800 agents in over 15 states across the country.

As devoted as Francis was to her professional life, she was even more committed to her family. While in college she met her first husband, Oliver Moore, and from the union came her only daughter, Kimberli – a spitting image of her mother in all of the best ways. Her daughter went on to give Francis two grandsons, Ryan and Kyle – whom Francis loved to shower with gifts and their favorite home cooked meals.

Those who knew Francis can not only attest to her work ethic and love for family, but also to her impeccable taste. She prided herself on only wearing the finest in fashions, often going on all day shopping sprees with her daughter and sisters, filling cars up with enough bags to make even Santa jealous. These shopping sprees always included special items for her home, which Francis loved to decorate with her daughter.

Work ethic and style were a couple of the gifts God bestowed Francis, but above all her greatest was her hospitality. Her doors were always open – to family, friends, colleagues, and anyone who could be a potential sale. She frequently hosted team meetings and family gatherings – most notably her Christmas dinners, where her lavishness, generosity, and love were on full display. If you needed a room, she had a place for you to stay, and when it was time to go she wouldn't let you leave on an empty stomach. She made sure that everyone that walked into her home felt like their lives were as grand as her own.

A stout believer in the word, Francis lived every moment through the power of faith. Over the years Francis stayed grounded in her faith by having a steady church home. Upon relocating to Houston permanently in the 90's, she made Lakewood Church her final one. She would go on to proudly serve in the church for over 20 years, leaving every service with a paper of notes – lessons to guide her in life, and to pass on to others.

On November 22nd, 2025, after 82 years of a life well lived, Francis was called home. She leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and a dream fulfilled. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cal Hill and Annie Mae Stewart, and her baby sister Pamela.

Francis is survived by her daughter and only child – Kimberli Alexander, grandsons – Ryan Alexander and Kyle Alexander, brothers – Robert Hill (Carolyn Hill), Ray Hill, and Craig Hill, sisters – Edna Doberson (Elveret Doberson), and Patricia Millard, nieces – Andrea Lewis, Pamela Pollard, Brittany Hill, nephews – Adrian Hill, Steven Hill, Hoyle Sampson, Elveret Doberson, Jr., Craig Hill, Jr., Quentin Hill, her great nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and the many lives she impacted throughout the country.