Milton Palmer Fields, 95, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, August 8, 2021, surrounded by his family. He enjoyed a rich and meaningful life. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Leatrice Hill Fields; children, Lewis and Marie Fields of Lake Gaston, NC, Greg and Ellis Fields of Denver, NC, and Lindy Fields of Rocky Mount, NC; grandchildren, Adam and Kate Fields, Courteney Bailey, Coleman and Adrienne Harrell, Byron and Erica Johnson, Fields and Stacy Johnson, and Gregory Johnson; and, great grandchildren, A.J., Palmer, McPhearson, Brennan, Caden, Chloe, Luke, Archie, and Hayes. He is also survived by brother-in-law Norman Blount, sister-in-law Nicky Bruce, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews and their families on both the east and west coasts.
Fields, as he was widely known, was the son of the late Julius Palmer and Louisa Barnhill Fields. Born in Halifax County, NC, he grew up with his brother Carlton in the Palmyra, NC area, attending high school in Hobgood. He enlisted in the US Navy at age 17 and served on the aircraft carrier, USS Saratoga, in the Pacific during the final years of WWII. After the war, he graduated from East Carolina Teachers College, and then earned a law degree from Wake Forest College. He moved to Rocky Mount in 1953, where he entered the legal practice and had a long and rewarding career, first as a solo practice, and later as a partner of the Fields and Cooper law firm, which he co-founded with the late Roy A. Cooper in 1959.
Fields was a firm believer in giving back to the community. An active member of First Christian Church since 1954, he served in every capacity and was the founder and organizer of the annual Yam Jam. He was a long-standing member of the Civitan Club and later the Kiwanis Club, serving as president of both. For several years, he wrote a column for the Evening Telegram where he highlighted growing up in eastern North Carolina and found humor in many of life's predicaments. Fields made a number of lasting contributions to Rocky Mount and North Carolina and was inducted to the Twin County Hall of Fame in 2015.
A Life Scout and former scout master, Fields loved the outdoors. He was a lifelong boat man and his excursions on Lake Gaston and the Pamlico River and Sound with family and friends formed the backdrop of his adult life. Later he discovered the joys of motor home ownership and he and Lea traveled widely throughout the United States. He had a keen sense of humor and a unique ability to connect with people and make them laugh. He was immensely proud of his family and seemed happiest at the gatherings of the clan. A devoted husband; an exemplary dad, granddad, and great-granddad; a superb lawyer; a good friend; he "walked the walk" in everything he did. He was a bright light in both enjoyable moments and difficult times.
A Celebration of Fields's Life will be held on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 2:00 PM at First Christian Church, 1101 West Haven Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC 27803 with Rev. Michael McHarg officiating. A visitation will follow the service in First Christian Church Fellowship Hall until 4:30 PM and other times at the home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Milton Fields Family Scholarship Fund at Nash Community College, First Christian Church of Rocky Mount, or Hospice and Palliative Care of Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
First Christian Church of Rocky Mount Fellowship Hall
1101 West Haven Blvd.
Rocky Mount, NC 27803
Thursday 8/12, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
A visitation will follow the service in First Christian Church Fellowship Hall until 4:30 PM and other times at the home.
Service
First Christian Church of Rocky Mount
1101 West Haven Blvd.
Rocky Mount, NCC 27803
Thursday 8/12, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
A Celebration of Fields's Life will be held on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 2:00 PM at First Christian Church, 1101 West Haven Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC 27803 with Rev. Michael McHarg officiating.
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
So sorry for your loss!! Milton was one of a kind and we loved him greatly! He will be so missed! Prayers for comfort.
We will really miss you! The memories that were made at church and how much you loved both of us, especially Anita. Prayers and condolences!
I worked in the building with Mr. FIelds for many years. When my daughter was small and would go to the office with me, she would always go down the hall and visit Mr. FIelds. I have enjoyed seeing he and his wife at different locations over the years and he was always the same friendly and humorous man. Sending condolences to his family. He will be missed.
In memory of Milton Palmer Fields, Betty Murchison Lancaster lit a candle
Oh what a wonderful man. He and Mom went back so far. I will miss him so much. What a bright spot every Sunday calling my Mom Miss Bett and smilling so hard. Praying for your family.
So sorry to hear of the departure of this wonderful gentle man. Condolences to his wife and family.
What a wonderful individual… always giving of himself to help others. I will miss his visits to Tyson Farms to check on the progress of the Yam Jam. He would always show up with a box of donuts or a bag of those delicious cheese crackers that he made. He will surely be missed by all who knew him.
One of the best men I’ve ever known. Could never repay his help and kindness to me and my family over the years. Will miss our phone calls. Prayers for comfort to his family.
I knew Milton through the First Christian Church. He was a kind and humble gentleman as well as a true christian man. My prayers are with his family