AUGUST 12, 1906 - JULY 6, 2012
Funeral services for Deacon Ellis Fields, Sr., who died July 6, 2012, were held Friday, July 13 at 11:00 a.m. at Isle of Hope Baptist Church in Uvalda. The Rev. Alvin Alexander, II, presided and Bishop L. C. Rogers officiated. Interment followed in Isle of Hope Cemetery.
ELLIS FIELDS, SENIOR
Fields was the oldest son of the late Charlie W. Fields and the late Lola Davis Fields. He was 105 years old.
His wife, Hettie Jackson, sons, Ellis Jr., Thomas and Charlie Hubert and daughters, Allie, Henrietta, Carol, Ernestine, Bernadine, and his siblings, Etta Mae William, George Fields, Ressie Gullatt, Josie smith, Charlene Robinson and Sarah Williams, all preceded him in death.
Deacon Ellis Fields had a short formal education. The need for education came second to the needs of his family; therefore he left school at an early age to help his father on the family farm. He was not shortened in education, his mother taught him to read and to write using various literary materials such as the Bible, newspaper and other printed sources found at home. The skills Ellis obtained from his parents would afford him an incredible life as a successful farmer/landowner, homeowner and businessman. He mastered the skills of farming and was often referred to as a walking almanac. He learned how to successfully produce crops such as cotton, tobacco and corn, and was excellent at raising livestock.
His exemplary moral character was recognized at an early age. Ellis was a mere teenager when he was made deacon of Isle of Hope Baptist Church. He was a man who could see the best in people. His mission in church was to help bring out this potential in everyone. Ellis and his family traveled by ferry down the Altamaha River to settle in Jeff Davis County. After resettling in Jeff Davis County, Ellis became a deacon at Morgan Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Graham. His keen intellect and wisdom was utilized for years as a Sunday school teacher at Morgan Chapel and also a Master Mason of Sumner Lodge No. 10, Baxley District No. 17. He was a member of the NAACP and served as a personal advisor to many in his public and private life.
Over his 105 years of life, Deacon Ellis held many positions within the communities, which he and his family lived. He retired from Appling County School System/Board of Education after many years of faithful service. On Aug. 7, 2006, Ellis was honored by the Appling County Board of Commissioners and Appling County Board of Education, as a successful retired businessman, a devoted retired public servant and a prominent citizen of the Appling community for his unselfish service to his community.
Deacon Ellis was an active leader in is family, church, and community. His commitment to excellence made his life one to be emulated by both youths and adults alike. He was given the key to the City of Baxley by Mayor Steve Rigdon for his accomplishments and on Aug. 12, 2006, a letter of inspiration was written by Governor Sonny Perdue thanking him for contributing to the well being of his family, his community and the state of Georgia.
He is survived by his three daughters, Janie (late James O. Sr.) Fletcher of Graham, Jettie Mazie (late Newton) Vann of Hazlehurst and Jeanette Jackson of Charlotte, N.C.; one son, Kaido Fields of Graham and one son-in-law, Ralph Pitts of Atlanta.
He was a loving and dedicated father to 12 children, grandfather of 54, great-grandfather to 55, great-great-grandfather of 68. He has one great-great-great-grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Active pallbearers were Jeffrey Fields, James Fletcher, Jr., Earl Fields, Carey Vann, Arnold Stephens, Roy Dale Stephens, Vincent Fields and Marcus Vann III.
Honorary pallbearers were Masonic Brothers and grandsons.
Musical selections were rendered by Peggy Fletcher and Uvalda Community Choir.
Arrangements were under the direction of Baxley Funeral Home.
His wife, Hettie Jackson, sons, Ellis Jr., Thomas and Charlie Hubert and daughters, Allie, Henrietta, Carol, Ernestine, Bernadine, and his siblings, Etta Mae William, George Fields, Ressie Gullatt, Josie smith, Charlene Robinson and Sarah Williams, all preceded him in death.
Deacon Ellis Fields had a short formal education. The need for education came second to the needs of his family; therefore he left school at an early age to help his father on the family farm. He was not shortened in education, his mother taught him to read and to write using various literary materials such as the Bible, newspaper and other printed sources found at home. The skills Ellis obtained from his parents would afford him an incredible life as a successful farmer/landowner, homeowner and businessman. He mastered the skills of farming and was often referred to as a walking almanac. He learned how to successfully produce crops such as cotton, tobacco and corn, and was excellent at raising livestock.
His exemplary moral character was recognized at an early age. Ellis was a mere teenager when he was made deacon of Isle of Hope Baptist Church. He was a man who could see the best in people. His mission in church was to help bring out this potential in everyone. Ellis and his family traveled by ferry down the Altamaha River to settle in Jeff Davis County. After resettling in Jeff Davis County, Ellis became a deacon at Morgan Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Graham. His keen intellect and wisdom was utilized for years as a Sunday school teacher at Morgan Chapel and also a Master Mason of Sumner Lodge No. 10, Baxley District No. 17. He was a member of the NAACP and served as a personal advisor to many in his public and private life.
Over his 105 years of life, Deacon Ellis held many positions within the communities, which he and his family lived. He retired from Appling County School System/Board of Education after many years of faithful service. On Aug. 7, 2006, Ellis was honored by the Appling County Board of Commissioners and Appling County Board of Education, as a successful retired businessman, a devoted retired public servant and a prominent citizen of the Appling community for his unselfish service to his community.
Deacon Ellis was an active leader in is family, church, and community. His commitment to excellence made his life one to be emulated by both youths and adults alike. He was given the key to the City of Baxley by Mayor Steve Rigdon for his accomplishments and on Aug. 12, 2006, a letter of inspiration was written by Governor Sonny Perdue thanking him for contributing to the well being of his family, his community and the state of Georgia.
He is survived by his three daughters, Janie (late James O. Sr.) Fletcher of Graham, Jettie Mazie (late Newton) Vann of Hazlehurst and Jeanette Jackson of Charlotte, N.C.; one son, Kaido Fields of Graham and one son-in-law, Ralph Pitts of Atlanta.
He was a loving and dedicated father to 12 children, grandfather of 54, great-grandfather to 55, great-great-grandfather of 68. He has one great-great-great-grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Active pallbearers were Jeffrey Fields, James Fletcher, Jr., Earl Fields, Carey Vann, Arnold Stephens, Roy Dale Stephens, Vincent Fields and Marcus Vann III.
Honorary pallbearers were Masonic Brothers and grandsons.
Musical selections were rendered by Peggy Fletcher and Uvalda Community Choir.
Arrangements were under the direction of Baxley Funeral Home.
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