Mae Louise Fleshman

Mae Louise (Davis) Fleshman was born October 7, 1935 in Portsmouth, Ohio. After a long battle with End Stage Renal Disease and Colorectal Cancer, Mae left us on Monday morning, March 30,2026.

Mae lived in Portsmouth for a short time. The family moved to Columbus when she was five years old. Upon arrival they all united with the Trinity Baptist Church. She gave her life to Christ at a young age. She attended multiple Columbus City Schools (Minnie moved around A LOT) and graduated from East High School in 1953. She attended Otterbein College for two semesters.

Mae was active in the church through the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Society, USA conventions which supported christian missionaries and the BTU (Baptist Training Union). She was office secretary for the local NAACP for several years. While there she met several important people involved in the Civil Rights Movement. Mae met Hobert during a BTU event. On June 13, 1959 she married the love of her life, Hobert, at Trinity Baptist Church which was officiated by the late Rev. Parham and the late Rev. Marvin Myers. Mae then served faithfully at Love Zion Baptist in the choir, coordinating weddings, VBS, and in other areas.

Mae was always very active in the PTA at the schools where her children attended which made it difficult for her children to get away with anything. She was also an awesome Camp Fire Girls leader for her daughter and other Brentnell girls. The troop was often the only African American troop at events. Mae always advocated for her children and her troop. She had our backs! Mae worked for twenty years for the Columbus City Schools as a Library Aide. She positively influenced thousands of students and staff with her creative activities to inspire the joy of reading. She loved her job. However, the very moment she found out that she had a grandchild on the way, she submitted her retirement plans and left. She became Nana extraordinaire! Mae also took care of nieces Gloria and Jazmine as well as twins of a local tv news anchor. So many pictures were taken of the girls you'd think the paparazzi were ever present.

Because she loved to work with children, she later began volunteering in children' s ministry at World Harvest Church. She met good friends while there. After volunteering, she began helping her daughter set up her classrooms and volunteered in the school library.

Mae thoroughly enjoyed attending or watching Purdue football or basketball games as well as any other team that played Ohio State, especially the Michigan Wolverines. Mae was especially proud of her son who played in Purdue's All American marching band and always enjoyed their half time programs. She was a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Lakers. However, she would talk about basketball or football regardless of the teams. Mae loved to buy presents especially for children on their birthdays and Christmas. It gave her great joy.

She is preceded in death by her parents: Minnie Mae (Davis) Burnley and Auburn Bowler Davis; step father: John Burnley and step mother: Katherine Davis; sisters: Peggy Ann Davis, Gloria Jean Boffman and brothers: Willard Davis, Gilbert Eugene Davis, and Lloyd Henry Davis.

Mae is survived by her Husband: Hobert D. Fleshman, Son: Kevin D. Fleshman; Daughter: Kirsten L. Morrison and Granddaughter: Maleisha L. Morrison. Mae was aunt to Stacy (Richard) Talliafaro, Brian Davis, Craig Boffman, Brianna (Michael) Davis, Kent (Laurie) Boffman, Clark (Adrica) Boffman, Sabrina Davis, Lloyd Davis, Tony Fleshman, Steve Fleshman, Brenda (Michael) (Fleshman) Hall, William Fleshman, Lori Johnson, Romel Johnson, Sharon Johnson Haynes, and Kim Johnson Neely. She was a great aunt and great-great aunt to many others.