Elmer George Fleming, a resident and well-known icon of Newberry, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest on October 29, 2023, at the age of 86. He was born on February 21, 1937, in Elberton, Georgia, and was a son to the late George Fletcher Fleming and the late Bertha Lou Baulchin Fleming.

Elmer, also known as "The Spoon Man," was an iconic individual in the Newberry County area. He was a devoted member of the O'Neal Street United Methodist Church, where he was also a part of the O'Neal Street UMC's Men's Club. He was a man that did not tell jokes but told stories about the things that happened that made them funny. He worked hard for many years as the Recycling Coordinator with the Newberry County Council on Aging.

If you lived during the 80s and 90s in Newberry, The Spoon Man was life and he brought life to any event he attended. As a collector of spoons, Elmer had an outstanding collection, and that collection certainly took him places. He had an amazing talent playing the spoons, over time designed his clothes with spoons sown to them and even came up with his very own theme song "I'm the Spoon Man." And of course, when you saw it, his famous show piece, his 1966 Chevy "Pick'em up truck" adorned with his beloved spoons.

As The Spoon Man, he was featured on many talk shows including The David Letterman Show and over several years interviewed by other various celebrity show hosts. He had many televised documentaries made about his vast collections; one being by Fox Network "Wild Wheels." He also received several awards from Readers Digest - "Truck of the Year" all the way to "The Best of the Worst Award."

Elmer, a kind and generous southern gentleman, loved his family, town, and community. Bringing joy to those around him brought him happiness and with that he would often return that appreciation by sharing his love for spoons.

Elmer leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion. He is survived by his daughter, Susie Marie F. Mohr; his stepdaughters, Sandra Carr (Andrew) and Teresa Dorn; a grandchild, Anna Marie Mohr; his step-grandchildren, Jimmy Brooks, and Christy Clary; and his great grandchildren, Isaiah Clary, Reagan Brooks Wilson (Shane) and Elijah Fox. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Nell Fleming and Martha Fleming.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Doris Miller Brooks Fleming; his daughters, Laura Jean F. Jones; his step-sons, James Carol Brooks, Lewis Dorn; his step-grandchild, Brent Norwood; his brothers, James Thurmond Fleming, Harry Fletcher Fleming, Earl Wilton Fleming and Jackson Edgar Fleming.

He is also preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Ellen Fleming, Irma Lou Fleming, and Margaret Gayle Fleming.

A Celebration of Elmer's Life will be held from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM, Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry.

Memories and messages of condolence may be shared with the family here on his tribute wall. Memorials may be made to O'Neal Street United Methodist Church.

Whitaker Funeral Home is privileged to serve the Fleming family during this time in honoring Elmer's memory.