Thoraya Bernice Rade Fleming's Obituary
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Obituary
Thoraya Bernice Rade Fleming passed peacefully in her sleep at home in Fayetteville, AR on October 7, 2024 at the age of 72. She was born to Nancy Jasper and Hussein Al-Sader on November 8, 1951 in Denver, Colorado.
Her mother was from Nashua, New Hampshire and came from a well-established family that owned Jasper Poultry Farms. Thoraya spent every summer with her grandmother in New England and grew close with her mother’s family in her youth. Her biological father Hussein, was an Al-Sader, a family line directly descendant from the Prophet Mohammed, and thus a prominent Middle Eastern family within Iraq. Thoraya’s grandfather was the President of the Iraqi Parliament and later became the Prime Minister.
Growing up in Anaheim, California with her mother, stepfather Wallace Rade, and two half-brothers Forrest and Eric, Thoraya discovered her love for semi-precious stones at an early age with her stepfather, who was an avid geologist by profession. She was active in sports and academics, and pursued certifications in the medical field and further studies at various colleges and universities.
Thoraya joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 18 and shared the restored Gospel throughout her life. She joined the Army at the height of the Vietnam War, and though rare for the time, she was a female Air Traffic Controller, stationed in New Hampshire and Hawaii. She met her husband Ben in Hawaii at an LDS event, and in years later raised six children together. Her eventual chosen profession was as a behavioral therapist, practicing Reiki and NLP for many years.
Thoraya enjoyed spending time with friends and family, reading stacks of books, watching mystery detective shows, and collecting semi-precious stones and rocks. She found joy in hand-beading necklaces and collecting jewelry pieces set with beautiful stones and gems, and often gifted such pieces to loved ones as meaningful tokens.
As a mother figure to many, Thoraya opened her home over the years. She housed loved ones in times of need, welcomed adult children back home, and was a host-mother to many foreign exchange students from countries around the world, including Japan, Korea, Columbia, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand. A keystone in her family, she kept beloved traditions alive, bonding her family ever closer through good food and thoughtful gifts. She was a great listener, a caring therapist, a deep friend, and a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Thoraya was a friend to all.
Thoraya is survived by her husband, Benjamin Fleming, daughters, Sarah Fleming, Jessica Guthrie, Melanie Thomson, Rachel Fleming, Kahlilah Fleming, and one son, Joseph Fleming; half-brothers, Forrest Rade, Mohammed Al-Sader, and Ali Al-Sader; grandchildren Chari, Madison, Jackson, Lily, Sofia, Jossalyn, and Riley. Let us not forget also, her service dog, Moo Moo. She is preceded in death by her mother Nancy Japer, biological father Hussein Al-Sader, stepfather Wallace Rade, and half-brother Eric Rade.
Thoraya is now with family and friends in the world of spirits who have passed before her. At last, she can live without pain and may ever be in restful peace. May her memory be cherished and the years of her life celebrated.
A memorial service will be held on October 25, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at 1225 East Zion Rd, Fayetteville, Arkansas at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Thoraya’s honor to LDS Humanitarian Services. 100% of donations go to relief for those affected by disaster. Donations may be made by following the link, below.
https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services/funds/emergency-response/
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