St. Marys Location, Fleming Office & Leo Flower Insurance Agency Announce Partnership
St. Marys, W.Va. (August 11, 2022) – Fleming Insurance Agency, serving the Saint Marys and Pleasants County community for nearly 80 years, today announced its partnership with Leo Flower Insurance Agency. Helping individuals, families and businesses find security and protection through insurance products is a multi-generational family tradition of both agencies. One that will proudly continue.
“Three families’ decades-long commitment gives us the insurance leadership, knowledge, and access to truly put our clients first. My own family insurance history started when the son of an apple orchard owner decided to enter the insurance industry. It began with William Waters, serving as vice president of Westfield Insurance in the 1940s, around the time E. Turner Fleming was establishing Fleming Insurance Agency,” said Agent Amy Fanta Caruthers of Fleming Insurance Agency.
Going back even further in time, L. Ernest (Ernie) Flower started the L. E. Flower Cash Store in the 1920s, near the B & O Depot in St. Marys. He sold meats, produce and store goods, and some insurance. Leo Flower, his son, would later establish Leo Flower Insurance Agency in 1954. His daughter, Lee Flower Shingleton, followed in his footsteps joining him in 1985.
“Leo Flower Insurance Agency has been honored to serve Pleasants County for nearly 60 years. I am pleased to be able to enhance our insurance experience by merging our agency with Fleming Insurance Agency, owned and operated by yet another multi-generational insurance industry family, the Waters-Fantas. By linking arms, we will be able to offer our clients and community more insurance options and a larger network of local agents,” said Owner and Principal of Leo Flower Agency Lee Flower Shingleton.
The Waters-Fantas became part of the St. Marys community in 2017, when they purchased Fleming Insurance Agency from Priscilla Fleming Boyles, daughter of Edgar Fleming and granddaughter of E. Turner Fleming. Its commitment continued in 2020 when it welcomed clients from River Valley Insurance Agency, previously owned and operated by Regina “Gina” Murray.
Leo Flower Insurance Agency clients will now be serviced out of the Fleming Insurance Agency storefront at 300 Second Street, St. Marys. Owners and principals of Fleming Insurance Agency
Ray Fanta and Beth Fanta are supported by agents John Fanta and Amy Fanta Caruthers as well as a network of local customer service representatives.
“This partnership is the best fit for my clients and the local community as it will maintain our commitment to excellent local service, continue our legacies and enhance our customers’ experience and options in today’s insurance market,” said Shingleton.
About Fleming Insurance Agency
Established in 1944, Fleming Insurance Agency has been a part of the St. Marys business community for generations. Together with Waters Insurance Agency (Parkersburg) and Landfried-Fanta Insurance Agency (Ripley), principals Ray and Beth Fanta and their staff of 10 licensed agents serve customers throughout West Virginia and neighboring states. A nationally recognized Trusted Choice ® independent insurance agency, they offer insurance products from leading insurance carriers such as Encova, Dairyland, Muncipal Mutual, Panhandle Farmers Mutual, Progressive, The Hartford, Safeco, Travelers and Westfield. Coverage options include, but are not limited to home, auto, flood, recreational vehicles, business owners and workers compensation insurance. For more information visit YourFlemingInsurance.com.