You make your way through the cafeteria line with a tray. Barb Fleming, an OHS cafeteria member, hands you a slice of pizza with a warm smile. But in recent weeks, her friendly face has been missing.
Around 3 p.m. on Aug. 14, Fleming was involved in a car accident on Telegraph Road along with her daughter and granddaughter. Their vehicle was struck by a speeding driver, and the impact from the crash has left Fleming and her granddaughter with severe, long-lasting injuries. While receiving medical treatment, her presence at OHS has been missed by many.
“She liked to refer to herself as the mayor of Oakville because she said she felt like she knew so many people, not just students, but their parents and business owners,” cafeteria manager Robin Lacefield said. “She was born and raised in this area, and she knows a lot of people.”
In the cafeteria, Fleming’s job was to serve food and check out students’ lunches. But outside of school, she played other roles.
“Grandma — that was her biggest role in life. That was one she was probably most proud of. She was also an animal lover, fun and friendly,” Lacefield said.
During her recovery, the community has come together to aid Fleming and her family with the accident. A gofundme has collected over $120,000 in funds to support the family. Additionally, many people have visited her in person to check in.
“We talked to her and she desperately misses all the students here. She misses seeing her granddaughter, of course, but she misses seeing all the kids that talk to her all day. She’s very overwhelmed with the fundraiser that the students have done for her, along with the fundraising that the community is doing for her,” cafeteria worker Lyn England said. “When we told her about it, she was crying. She’s very thankful.”
Despite Fleming’s situation, her friends have said that she continues to have a positive outlook and remains in good spirits.
“Instead of being depressed and down, she’s really positive. We leave and we feel good,” Lacefield said. “If I can portray any message, it’s the gratefulness in her positive attitude.”
The accident has served as a reminder to some in the community that each day is a blessing and that tomorrow isn’t a guarantee.
“It has made all of her co-workers more appreciative,” Lacefield said. “You know, the saying, ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’? It’s made us all very, very appreciative for each day. Just don’t take it for granted.”
As Fleming and her granddaughter continue to receive treatment and come to terms with the injuries that will impact them for the rest of their lives, their accident also serves as a reminder to all drivers about the importance of adhering to speed limits and rules of the road. It can be difficult for many teens to learn how to drive safely, especially because of all the distractions in today’s world such as notifications popping up on their phones along with the desire to arrive at a destination quickly. OHS security and crossing guard Ellen Auer said she’d liked to see students check their phones once they arrive at their destination instead of while driving, and OHS principal Brian Brennan had additional advice on how to stay safe for teen drivers.
“It is better to arrive late than to not arrive at all. Slow down and put your phone down while driving,” Brennan said. “A small distraction can have horrible consequences for you and others.”
If you would like to help Fleming and her family through this difficult time, you can donate to their gofundme.
