Mattie Fleming

MATTIE FLEMING Obituary

Mattie Teague Fleming was born on June 28, 1939, to Bill and Dicie Wilcutt Teague in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. She was one of six children in the big family and grew up on a farm where everyone pitched in on daily chores.

Mattie’s first marriage to Steve Spears resulted in five children, with the family settling in Claremore, Oklahoma. She worked 65 years in the restaurant industry after starting when she was 14 years old. During much of that time, Mattie also fulfilled the role of mother and housewife. She made many friends and contacts over her years in the food services craft before finally deciding to open a restaurant of her own.

Mattie’s Family Restaurant opened in 1986 in Catoosa, Oklahoma, and became an instant beacon for good food, Christian values, lots of family and friends, and even a Gospel Music Jamboree where live music entertained the customers. Mattie rarely met a stranger, and even when she did, her compassion and love made the new people in her life instant family. The atmosphere surrounding the restaurant and its loyal customer base would then lead to another restaurant, Mattie’s Downtown Diner, which opened in 1993 in downtown Claremore. Not one to rest on her laurels, Mattie then purchased an old Indian Territory church a few blocks down the street and opened The Wedding Chapel in October of 1993. The new business spawned yet another one with a bridal boutique, where people from all over came to “one-stop-shop” with dresses, tuxes, florals and finally the intimate venue for their perfect day.

But the restaurant business came calling once again, and in December of 2006, Mattie’s Route 66 Steakhouse was opened just north of Sequoyah High School on historic Route 66. Mattie was able to introduce her culinary skills to a new generation of friends and family in the surrounding towns. Because of the stroke Mattie suffered, the steakhouse closed in October 2018.

Other than her entrepreneurial spirit, Mattie was best known as being the biggest giver anyone had ever known. Whether someone needed the last dollar she had in her pocket or the clothes off her back, Mattie wouldn’t hesitate to give both—and more. At many family holiday dinners, one could generally find a new person (or two) to whom Mattie was giving a helping hand that gathered with the family at the table to share in Mattie’s exquisite culinary skills. Many times it was said if she had just three ingredients in her refrigerator, she could somehow make a four-course meal out of it with ease. That’s how good of a cook she was. When asked where her recipes were written down, she would just point to her head and say, “In here.”

Mattie was all about family. She loved and cherished her five children, eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, and even a great-great grandchild. Mattie’s home was always full of laughter, love, food and a comforting peace that made anyone feel welcomed and adored. Mattie also loved music and kept the gospel music radio station at high volumes at all times in each of her establishments. She also loved country music and even sang at church as a guest vocalist from time to time.

Before all her restaurants kept her busy, Mattie was an avid traveler, visiting both coasts of the United States and declaring the Grand Teton National Park and San Francisco, California, as some of the most beautiful places she’s ever been. She even lived for a time right on the ocean in Jacksonville, Florida.

Mattie is survived by her son, Bill Spears, and wife Cindy, of Claremore; daughter Brenda Foreman of Claremore; son Fabian Spears of Claremore, and son Steve Spears of Nowata. She is survived by granddaughter Amber Foreman Patty, and husband Ron, of Broken Arrow; grandson Adam Foreman, and husband Chad Clark, of Broken Arrow; granddaughter Chandra Spears of El Dorado, Kansas; grandson Jared Spears of Claremore; granddaughter April Foreman Rowell, and husband Zachary, of Broken Arrow; grandson Aaron Spears, and wife Dawn, of Denton, Texas; granddaughter Brittany Spears of Derby, Kansas; and granddaughter Kaycee Spears Boren, and husband Denver, of Broken Arrow. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Aubrey Patty and Connor Patty of Broken Arrow; Evelyn Rowell and Oliver Rowell of Broken Arrow; Christian Spears and wife Tori of Fairbanks, Alaska; Mia Davis of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Abigail Spears and Enique Higbee of Denton, Texas; Loretta Boren and Charlee Boren of Broken Arrow; Maya Spears of Eldorado, Kansas; Aidan Spears of Derby, Kansas; and Enoch Spears of Claremore. Mattie’s family covers five generations with her great-great-granddaughter Aila Spears of Fairbanks, Alaska. Mattie is also survived by her sister, Fanny Rogers, and brothers Roy Teague and Ray Teague of Tahlequah.

Mattie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lou Fleming, her sister Shirley Johnson, her brother Burl Teague, her daughter Kathy Spears, and grandson Zachary Spears.

Mattie’s family extends their heart-felt thanks and deepest gratitude to Gaye Travis and the late Jane Warren who provided love, support, and care to Mattie and the family during the last three-plus years of Mattie’s life.

One of Mattie’s favorite songs was “Believe,” by the country duo Brooks & Dunn. She kept the song on repeat in her kitchen while she cooked. The lyrics from the chorus of that song speak volumes about Mattie’s faith and her love for life:

Lord, I raise my hands
Bow my head
Oh, I’m finding more and more truth
In the words written in red.
They tell me that there’s more to life
Than just what I can see
I believe.

Mattie went to be with our Lord on July 7, 2022. The family has a memorial service for Mattie scheduled for Friday, July 15, 2022, at 2 pm at the Payne Funeral Home (formerly Musgrove Merriott Smith) located at 102 W. 5th Street, Claremore, OK; telephone number 918-341-2487. Information will be posted on their website www.mmsfuneralhomes.com .

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages that donations be made in Mattie’s memory to either Salvation Army of Rogers County, P.O. Box 2728, Claremore, OK 74018, 918-341-5000 or Clarehouse (located in Tulsa, OK), the hospice facility that took care of Mattie. Donations to Clarehouse can be made by the donation form located at https://3cd45i2pk28imj6092q3wwye-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Donor-Card-for-website-12.2.2019.pdf or by checks payable to Clarehouse and sent to: Clarehouse, 7617 S Mingo Rd, Tulsa, OK 74133.