Funeral service for Mr. Fletcher Sleet McQueen

11:00 am Saturday, September 30, 2023

Smithville A.M.E. Zion Church 

Mask required. 

Burial McQueen Cemetery

 

 

Obituary

Fletcher Sleet McQueen, Sr.

January 22, 1941 – September 17, 2023

Fletcher S. McQueen, Sr, entered eternal rest on Sunday, September 17, 2023. Born and raised

in Cheraw, SC, he was the ninth of ten children of the late Fred Elbert and Laura Spencer

McQueen.

Fletcher joined Smithville A.M.E Zion Church at an early age. He remained a member at

Smithville until he found his way to New York and joined St. John A.M.E Zion Church where he

became a member of the Men’s Choir. He transferred his membership back to Smithville after

retiring and making Cheraw his home once again.

Fletcher’s favorite pastime in his later years, was sitting on his front porch, admiring the families

land, and sharing stories with his children of how he farmed the land with his parents, siblings,

and niece. Ironically, one of his favorite pastimes in his early years, was coming up with ways to

get out of farming the land and sitting under the shade tree with the family mule -- farm life

wasn’t for Fletcher.

Fletcher graduated from Long High School in Cheraw, SC. He knew education to be the key to

success and frequently encouraged his grandchildren to stay the course, complete their education,

and achieve their dreams. His pride in his grandchildren was evidenced by the tears in his eyes

each time he learned of another one of their goals accomplished.

Fletcher was charismatic, had style, and caught the eye of Ollie Mae Harrington. On December

25, 1962, he charmed Ollie into 60 years of marriage which yielded three sons.

Fletcher was motivated to succeed in life and proved himself to be a dedicated employee. He

worked at a steel plant in PA and retired from Letchworth Village in Thiells, NY where he

worked as a Therapy Aide providing compassionate care to children and adults with psychiatric

and developmental disabilities.

Fletcher’s strength and weakness was the same – an inability to say no to someone in need. It’s a

character trait he instilled in his children. He didn’t always have a lot, but he was always willing

to give everything he had. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending time on the lake and

deep-sea fishing with his sons and close friends. He had a fondness for fast and fancy cars –

especially his Charger and Cadillacs. He found peace sitting in his recliner watching black and

white westerns and dusting off the vinyl to listen to old school blues.

Fletcher returned to Cheraw and the family land in the early 90’s to become a caregiver to his

ailing mother. His love for his parents’ land and his hometown was reignited. He built his home

on the land and claimed his spot on the front porch which is known as dad’s, granddad’s, or

Uncle Fletcher’s seat. The passersby will miss his daily greetings as they travel along Elbert

Baskins Road.

Fletcher left to cherish his memory: his loving wife, Ollie Mae McQueen of 60 years; four

children, Gregory (Shilda) McQueen, Dwayne (Michelle) McQueen, Melissa (Jeffrie) Thomas,

and Fletcher (Mesha) McQueen Jr; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Johnson, Jalisa McQueen,

Xavier and Xcelle Thomas, Shiqueema Brooks, Dwayne Jr and Anaya McQueen, and Christian

McGee-McQueen; seven great grandchildren, Joplin Jr and Jada Johnson, Honesty Brooks and

Riley Robertson, Noelle and Braxton Bennett, and Kayden McQueen; two sisters, Norma

(Enoch) Brown and Annette Murff; a very special niece, Allie Taylor; and a host of nieces,

nephews, cousins, and friends.

Fletcher was preceded in death by his grandson, Savon Tyswell Brooks; five brothers, Henry

Frank (Eva), Albert (Eva Mae), Floyd (Rebecca), Cloyd (Viola) and Howard (Lucille); two

sisters, Sallie McQueen and Dorenza (Gus) Finklea; and brother-in-law, George Murff.