Wilma Fleet

Mrs. Wilma Belle Thomas Fleet, beloved community member died Thursday, December 19, 2024, at her residence surrounded by her family. Mrs. Wilma humbly embraced all 98 years of her life through her Christian love of family, church and friends. 

Visitation will be held Monday, December 23, 2024, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Colquitt First Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Colquitt First Baptist Church with Pastor Craig Hartzog and Pastor Mark Worsley officiating. A private interment will follow at Colquitt Cemetery with grandsons Clay Hudson, Lane Hudson, Jackson Fleet, Tristan Spence, Tucker Spence, and Briggs Kelley serving as pallbearers. 

Mrs. Wilma was born as part of the greatest generation on October 11, 1926 in Benton County, Missouri. Being the middle daughter of William Allie (Hoot) Thomas and Grace Downing Thomas she developed early on her immense talents for listening and getting along with others. Mrs. Wilma married the love of her life, Charley Jackson Fleet on December 31, 1948. After moving to Bainbridge in 1965, then to Colquitt in 1968, they set up their farming operation which Mrs. Wilma continued to operate after Mr. Jack’s death for a total of 59 years. Mrs. Wilma ran Fleet Operations, Inc with Mr. Jack and then later Rolling Hills Farm, Inc with son, Vic Fleet. She only gave up the bookkeeping for the farm two years ago at age 96 but still keeping up with the latest commodity prices. 

Mrs. Wilma walked graciously in her faith every day embodying the qualities of kindness, patience and love. She not only served in countless capacities in her church, Colquitt First Baptist Church where she was a member for 55 years but she shared her love and faith through her famous cards, phone calls and visits to people in her community. Her genteel nature and always positive attitude made her many special friends throughout her years. She served on limitless school and community committees through her years in Colquitt. Also serving as a poll worker for every county election for 38 years. 

Just like the beautiful quilts she volunteered to create at Cotton Hall over the years, she leaves behind another beautiful legacy created of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kay Fleet of Colquitt, Mary Hudson of Leary, Vic (Jackie) Fleet of Colquitt, and Renee (Toby) Spence of Colquitt; eight grandchildren, Allison Kelley, April (Dennis) Young, Clay (Rebekah) Hudson, Lane (Hannah) Hudson, Jackson (Jenna) Fleet, Victoria Fleet, Tristan (Kelli) Spence, and Tucker (Kristen) Spence; thirteen great-grandchildren, Bree Kelley, Briggs Kelley, Harmony Harper, Flint Hudson, Emma Hudson, Evelyn Hudson, Scout Hudson, Vesper Hudson, Elora Hudson, Cooley Fleet, Ashlyn Toliver, Brady Toliver, Charleigh Spence; three nephews, Gary (Widge) Yager of Topeka, Kansas, Randy (Marsha) Eaton of Warsaw, Missouri, Lonnie (Gloria) Gregory of Clinton, Missouri; three nieces, Marceline (Arlie) Turner of Camdenton, Missouri, and Beverly (Pat Crawford) Gregory of Brookins, South Dakota, and Marsha Rudolph of Kansas City, Missouri, and numerous great nephews and great nieces. 

Mrs. Wilma was so blessed to continue to live in her home with some very special caretakers, Tracy Powell, Jacquie Colley, Carolyn Nunally, Gloria Cooper, and Tonya Cross that she dearly loved.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charley Jackson Fleet; parents, William Allie (Hoot) Thomas and Grace Downing Thomas of Warsaw, Missouri; two sisters, Christine Eaton of Warsaw, Missouri and Allie Ann Yager of Kansas City, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Colquitt First Baptist Church Chapel Renovation Fund, 351 East Pine Street, Colquitt, GA 39837

Colquitt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.