WEEMS—Elzie Arnold Fisher of Weems died April 26, 2019, at his home.
He was born on August 4, 1931, to the late Raleigh Sr. and Bertha Fisher in Weems.
Mr. Fisher received his education in Lancaster County public schools, where he met his late wife, Ora Nickens Fisher.
He was a member of Sharon Baptist Church. He formed the Bright Light Quartet, performing at churches and special events throughout the Northern Neck. Years later, he was a co-founder of the Sharon Community Choir, and also became a member of the trustee board.
At about age 17, Arnold began to craft his skill in the plumbing trade while employed with the D.C. Jenkins Plumbing Co. He also worked side-by-side with his father in the fishing industry, before working as a meat packer at Dukeland Packing Company in Baltimore, Md.
However, he soon decided to start E.A. Fisher Plumbing & Heating, the first African American plumbing company in Lancaster County. Some years later, Arnold and his late brother-in-law, Lawrence Harding, established Fisher & Harding Plumbing & Heating.
Arnold also worked at the Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company. While working in the pipe-fitting department he studied until he received his certification in blueprint reading. He later worked at Atchison & Keller Plumbing in Washington, D.C., as a plumber and pipefitter. After working in D.C. for about 10 years, Arnold slowed down to a semi-retirement pace.
He then taught design and building at the Warsaw Vocational Center and served 10 years on Lancaster County’s Board of Zoning Appeals.
He then followed his dreams and established a home improvement business, Fisher’s Do-Rite. Arnold finally retired, but was convinced to work part-time at Northern Neck Ace Hardware in Kilmarnock.
Arnold also helped organize the first AMA Harley Davidson Motorcycle Club in Lancaster County and raced for the Riding Eagles Motorcycle Club.
He is survived by his children, Janice Fisher, Veronica Sewell, Michael Fisher, Dwight Fisher and Annette Lomax; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter; and his sisters, Vivian Bea, Doris Harding and Geraldine Avery.
A funeral was held May 4 at Sharon Baptist Church, Weems. Interment followed in the Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery.
