Monroe County is mourning the passing of longtime Monroe County Convention Center director Karinne Flemming, who died on Saturday, Sept. 26 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Flemming, 64, had been the director of the Convention Center since Monroe County bought the facility in December 2014. Under Flemming’s leadership, the Convention Center has been a huge success with public and private events booked nearly every weekend over the last several years.
Flemming’s daughter, Kimar Estes, said the job was perfectly in line with many of her mother’s passions, which included: cooking, baking, reading and shopping.
“She loved designing, parties and event planning,” Estes said. “She wanted things to be elegant and classy. She was really big on that.”
Karinne Haynes Flemming was born in Falmouth, Jamaica on April 20, 1956. Her obituary reads: “Fondly known by many as ‘Aunty Kay,’ Karinne was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She loved to cook authentic Jamaican cuisine and could bake just about anything. She enjoyed her job as the Convention Center Manager for the Monroe County Board of Commissioners. Her hobbies included reading and entertaining, and she was, in her own right, a diva and fashionista. Karinne’s creativity, her spunk, and her personality always lit up the room. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.”
Estes described her mother as a “spitfire” who “didn’t put up with anything from anybody.” She recalled fondly that although Flemming was one of the youngest of six children, her older siblings were fearful of their younger sister and added that Flemming’s mother, Vinnis Haynes, frequently had to keep her daughter out of trouble when she was young. Over the years, Flemming grew particularly close to her sister, Ava Haynes, living with her in Jamaica until she was in her late 30s. Estes said even after Flemming moved to the U.S. over 20 years ago, she spoke with her sister, who still lives in Jamaica, three or four times a day and considered Ava’s son Brandon to be like her own son.
While living in Jamaica, Flemming was a software engineer but entered the hospitality industry upon moving to Miami, Fla. Estes said Flemming moved to Middle Georgia about 12 years ago, and she was working for local hotelier Sam Patel when Monroe County bought the Convention Center from Patel. Co-workers like Monroe County Clerk Janet Abbott recalled that many of Flemming’s conversations with them were about family, particularly her 12-year-old grandson, London Estes.
“She loved her grandson,” Abbott said. “She was very proud of him.”
Another co-worker, Monroe County Finance Assistant Gwen Griffin, remembered Flemming’s fashion sense and generosity. Griffin said she once complimented Flemming on her earrings only to have Flemming later buy an identical pair for Griffin and her officemate, Finance Assistant Suzanne Schultek.
Flemming is survived by her daughter, Kimar Estes; her grandson, London Estes; her mother, Vinnis Haynes; her sister, Ava Haynes; her nephew, Brandon Chambers; and beloved friends, Isiah and Lorna Patrick.
A memorial service celebrating Flemming’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Trinity Baptist Church in Centerville, Ga. with the Rev. Kenny Hamm officiating. Interment will be private. The family respectfully requests that those attending the service wear cheerful colors and nothing black.
Flemming’s arrangements are being handled by McCullough Funeral Home in Warner Robins. To send flowers to the family or to plant a tree in Flemming’s memory, please visit https://mccullough-funeral-home.tributecenterstore.com
