Carlotta Verlease Samuels Fleming, a native of Winston-Salem, NC, was the eldest daughter of the late Deacon William Johnson and Alease Maye Samuels. She was a graduate of Reynolds high school and attended Salem College both in W-S. At an early age, Carlotta discovered her voice as she sang and performed for her 25th street neighborhood friends while using the doghouse as her stage, Mahalia Jackson as her mentor, and her father as her coach. Her singing career continued to blossom when she partnered with her friends to form a singing group whose recognition and demand made them local celebrities. As their popularity grew, the opportunity to travel nationally and internationally yielded tour stints across the US, Canada, Italy, and more. Alongside her dear friends, Jackie Sinclair and Sylvania Wilder, who became her lifelong sisters, they toured as "The New Supremes", "Odyssey 5", and later "The Wess Machine". There were other members and dear friends who traveled and sang with them from time to time, but the three divas were the core. They recorded albums, graced the stage with countless celebrities, appeared on television shows, and developed a sensational fanbase. They later formed the gospel group, "Expressions", in 2000 by adding her daughter, Zakiyyah. Carlotta was also a talented composer and writer of several original recordings, most recently, her timeless song, "Jesus You Got My Vote".
While still maintaining a robust, vibrant, and award-winning singing career, Carlotta gracefully balanced motherhood, entrepreneurship as a direct sales rep with Dudley Products, performing as a professional actress and vocalist with the North Carolina Black Repertory Company under the direction of Larry L. Hamlin and Mabel P. Robinson, working for the City of Winston-Salem, employed as an educator and social worker in the Head Start Program and W-S Forsyth Co. schools, and being an exceptional wife, sister, friend, confidant, and leader. She also toured with notable stage productions such as, Micki Grant's, "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope", David Payton's, "A Good Man is Hard to Find", and Maya Angelou's, "And Still I Rise".
Carlotta answered her call to the ministry in the late 90's, where she was ordained as a minister and later appointed as an Overseer under the leadership of the Senior Pastor, Apostle Dr. S.D. Johnson at Macedonia Worship Center, her home church. She also ministered through the Fine Arts Ministry as a psalmist, drama leader, praise dancer, and flag minister.
Carlotta was preceded in death by her parents, Willam and Alease Samuels; her loving husband, Andrew K. Fleming Sr.; brother W. Gregory (Bobbie) Samuels; son, Master Zakee G. Samuels; and her granddaughter, Mariam A. Niang. She leaves her immediate family to cherish her memory: her brother, Ronnie (Deania) Samuels; her children, Zakiyyah Niang, Andrew Fleming Jr., Ali Fleming, and Shontae (Drake) Hoe; her beloved grandchildren, Hassan Niang, Johann Pate, Morrisa Pate, and Elijah Oliver all of W-S, NC; her only living uncle, Mr. Tommy (Sarah) Samuels of Blythewood, SC. Her family extends special thanks to her dear and dedicated friends who were always there by her side. She also leaves an incredible host of many loving family members that will always carry her legacy and amazing spirit.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Douthit Funeral Services. Services will be held at 12:30pm on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church- 4129 North Hampton Dr., Winston-Salem, NC where the Senior Pastor is Rev. Dr. Nathan Scovens. Eulogy is in the hands of Bishop Todd Fulton, Senior Pastor, Mt. Moriah Outreach Center, Kernersville, NC. A public viewing will be held Wednesday April 23, 2025, from 1pm until 5pm at Douthit's. Funeral services will be held Thursday April 24, 2025, at 12:30pm from Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at 12pm. Arrangements are in the care of Douthiut Funeral Services.