Hoyle Fleming Montgomery, Jr., 98, died peacefully on July 29, 2019, at Marshall Medical Center in Lewisburg, TN. He had been a resident of Village Manor for many years and was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg.

Born on March 3, 1921, Fleming was a native of Farmington in Marshall County and graduated from Marshall County High School in 1940. After graduation, he received an Associates Degree from Austin Peay and then served in the United States Army for over three years during World War II. Continuing his studies after the war, he received a bachelor’s degree from Western State University of Colorado, did graduate work at the University of New Mexico, and received his Masters in Library Science from Peabody College. Fleming’s library career took him to VPI (now Virginia Tech), the Rare Books Department of the University of Texas at Austin, Duke University, the University of Illinois and finally in 1962 to the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he would remain for 28 years. Following a few years in retirement, he returned to Tennessee in 2001.

Fleming was known as a good artist and an exceptional pianist. Having seen more of the world during WWII than he could have ever imagined, Fleming enjoyed his travels to many countries around the world throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hoyle F. Montgomery, Sr., and Lizzie Long Montgomery, by his sister, Sarah Montgomery Lewis Wilhite and by his twin brother, Thomas Newton Montgomery, Sr.

A life-long bachelor, he is survived by his sister-in-law, Kathleen (Tina) Hill Montgomery, his niece, Sarah (Sally) Montgomery Lavender (Tim), and his nephews, Thomas (Tom) N. Montgomery, Jr. (Sherrie), and Robert H. Montgomery (Emma). He was a favorite great-uncle to his eight great-nieces and nephews.

Fleming had a steady and calm faith in God, which gave him an unforgettable ability to deal graciously and honestly with everyone he met. Those who were given the grace to know him as a relative or a friend always knew that he would never fail to meet you with kind words, a ready smile and a delightful sense of humor. He was a gifted letter-writer and always-entertaining conversationalist. In addition, he loved animals and was a supporter of the Humane Society of the United States.

The family lacks Fleming’s skill with words to convey our profound thanks for the love and care he received from his wonderful sitters and the outstanding staffs of Village Manor and Marshall Medical Center.

In accordance with Fleming’s clearly stated instructions, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Any memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.