He was born in Greenville, SC to Izell and Clara Fleming. Dr. Fleming attended Bruton Town Elementary School, Sterling High and graduated from Washington High of Greenville County. He continued his education at Carver Bible College of Atlanta, GA, graduating with a bachelor's Degree in biblical education of 1968. Since then, he has attended Columbia Bible College, Dallas Theological Seminary, Clemson University, Greenville Technical College, and other institutes of which he received numerous certifications. In 1985, Dr. Fleming received his Doctor of Divinity from International Bible Institute and Seminary of Orlando, FL.

Dr. Fleming is founder and Pastor of Bethel Bible Missionary Church which he has served since its beginning in 1970.

He served as General director of the Bethel Bible Camp & Institute (an affiliate of Columbia Bible College) in Columbia, SC, retiring after thirty-two years of service. During his pastorate and directorship, the Board of Trustees asked Dr. Fleming to take the presidency of Carver Bible College, which made him to become the first black president of the school, after fifty years of existence. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Fleming was employed by Tri-County technical college where he taught Personal Psychology, complimentary and Employability skills as well as working with the labs of reading math and language. After four years of teaching, Dr. Fleming accepted an assignment with the school to work as a consultant on a special government project for the gifted and talented in computer, math, and science for persons desiring to change their field after having acquired their degrees in other areas.

In addition to his pastorate, Dr. Fleming presently serves:

1. Chaplain for Greenville County Sheriff's Office

2. One of five members appointed to design a tele-course for Law Enforcement Chaplains for the state of South Carolina

3. Screener for the Chaplain's In-Residence Program of the Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia, South Carolina

4. Save our Sons (SOS) Board

5. United Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (UNEDC) Board

6. Leadership for Effective Neighborhood Development Program (LEND) Committee

7. Citizen advisory Committee for the Update of the Zoning and Development Standards for the City of Greenville

8. West Greenville Community Association (President)

9. Greenville City Community Development Advisory Committee

10. South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (Division of Community Care)

Pastor Fleming and wife (Oleanthean) have three sons: Vardrey Jr., graduate of Fayetteville State University, U.S. Army Officer in Hawaii; Justin, graduate of University of GA, Director of Food Services; Luron, graduate of Wofford College, U.S. Army Officer in Atlanta, GA and four grandchildren.

Dr. Fleming has initiated and worked with a number of community service projects. To list a few, they are: The West Greenville Revitalization Project, Adopt-A-Child Program, After-Care Program for women in crisis situations, Behavior modification for alcohol and drug addiction, sharing and Caring project for the elderly, After School Program with a computer lab.

Graduate of Carolina High School and Greenville Technical College.

Married to Linda Garabedian Thornhill, who is employed in the Judicial Services Division of the Greenville County Sheriff's Office.

One son, Ty Thornhill, Senior Account Executive with Erwin-Penland Advertising, Inc.

Licensed to preach the gospel, and ordained to the gospel ministry in November, 1982, by First Baptist Church of Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Certified through the American Association of Christian Counselors.

South Carolina National Guard- 1966-1973.

Career in Retail Management- 1966-1973.

Senior Pastor of Westwood Baptist Church- 1983 to present.

Active in and has served in many areas of Greenville Baptist Association and South Carolina Baptist Convention.

Past member, Board of Directors Marietta Baptist Camp.

Trustee, Board of Directors of Greenville Memorial Auditorium District Board- 1966-1998.

Graduate of Pickens High School, Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, Hendersonville, NC, A.A. in Religion/Church Ministries, graduate of Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, B.S. in Religion/Church Ministries.

He is married to Loretta "Retta" Aiken Durham with two children: Crystal Durham Emory and David Durham.

Currently serving as the Senior Pastor of Marietta First Baptist Church in Marietta, SC since march 1997. His former Pastorates include: West Greenville Baptist Church, Greenville, SC (1991-1997) and Saluda Hill Baptist Church in Cleveland, SC (1987-1991).

He is the Trustee of North Greenville College, Chaplain for the Greenville County Sheriff's Office, Vice Moderator of North Greenville Association, and leader of the annual Romania Mission Team through the International Mission Board.

He enjoys golf, building projects, helping people and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.