"Delmont F. Fleming, 86, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 of heart problems.

He was born in a small coal mining town in western Pennsylvania where his dad was a miner. As a teenager, Del worked summers as a rivet heater at the American Bridge Company in Pittsburg and later as a busboy in a restaurant in Atlantic City to put himself through Eastern College. He graduated in 1959 and received a National Defense Fellowship for graduate school. He completed his Masters and PhD at the University of Pennsylvania. After teaching at Alfred University in New York for three years, he came to Mary Washington College in the autumn of 1966 and joined the English Department where he taught American Literature. His future wife, Sharon, was a student in one of the first classes that he taught there. They were married in 1968. Dr. Fleming served as Secretary of the Faculty for many years and retired in 1992 as Professor Emeritus of English.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years and by several nieces and nephews.

At his request, there will be no memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fredericksburg SPCA 10819 Courthouse Road Fredericksburg, VA 22408.

Online condolences may be shared at vacremationservice.com."