John Lynwood Fields

John Lynwood Fields, the son of the late John A. Fields and Eleanor (Faines) Fields was born on May 4, 1930 in Manson, North Carolina.  At a young age, he became a member of Manson Baptist Church. With his father proudly serving as a Deacon, he grew up as an active member and sang in the church quartet. Throughout his life he was called by his middle name, Lynwood or shortened to Lynn, by family and friends.  Lynn attended Manson School and Warren County Training High in Wise, North Carolina.

Lynn was recruited into the United States Army in 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1960.   He was stationed overseas in England.  Shortly after his discharge he relocated to Boston, MA where he met and married his wife of 65 years, Doris Mae Davis. When she first saw him, she recalls her heart jumped and she was struck by the sight of his ‘big old nice legs’! It is obvious that he was equally struck by her as they sustained 65 years of unconditional love and an unrelenting deep friendship. Out of their union came two children whom they both cherish, John Lynwood Fields, Jr. and Lynda Danette Fields.

 Dedicated to the care of his family, Lynn worked as a Truck Driver for many years and also worked for the Council of Elders until his retirement in 1995.  He enjoyed many things, playing guitar, the piano and singing.  He also enjoyed baseball, especially watching the Boston Red Sox.  He was an Engineer when it came to repairing anything and everything. He had a garage full of tools. His favorite past time was repairing cars and motorcycles.  What he enjoyed most about it was teaching his many nephews how to repair their own cars. He provided hands-on training. He took pride in watching them work and loved teaching them. He loved spending time with his family as well. 

 Lynn was nurturing; he had patience with everyone. When asked for advice, he was always clear that he was not telling you what to do, you were your own person. But when you walked away from him, you were left with wisdom and something meaningful to think about. He had a quiet disposition with a keen, clean, funny sense of humor. He was a very caring and giving man.  He helped anyone out when in need.    When called on for help, might it be a ride to the store, shopping or repairing something, he would always say “Good Grief” while putting his coat on heading for the front door.  He never said “no” to anyone.  All of the neighborhood children called him affectionately Popsie, a name given to him by his grandchildren. Sometimes Mr. Fields, but most of the time, Popsie.   He would help them fix their bikes or sometimes even build a bike. He was like a Dad to so many whether by blood or not. He was father to the fatherless, uncle to everyone. He was well liked wherever he went. He was respected and respectable at all times. A man of strength, compassion, conviction, honesty and integrity. His word was his bond. He was a good person! Gentle yet firm when he had to be. You could have a good time just by being in his presence, laughing and talking with him.

He will be remembered for many things, many small acts of kindness: visiting family on his motorcycle with a pocketful of quarters bringing joy to his many nieces and nephews; teaching his brother Alvin to ride the Harley Davidson; giving his anemic 6 years old niece blood for a transfusion; being the trusted, respected, reliable ‘outdoors’ caretaker as a youth for his siblings when his mother was away 2 months for surgery and his younger sister was the ‘indoors’ caretaker plus many more too numerous to cite.

On Wednesday, February 17, 2021, our beloved Lynn departed this life. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Cleo Perry of Norlina, NC, Alice Faye Hart and Edna ‘Flossie” Davis of Boston and one brother, Milton Fields of Manson, NC. He leaves to mourn and celebrate his life his wife Doris Mae Fields; his son John Lynwood Fields, Jr.; his daughter Lynda Danette Fields-Greene (deceased William ‘Sonny’ Greene); his grandchildren Jamiela Braxton, Takia Fields-Palmer (Shawn), Sonji Brown; his great-grandchildren Jaqweiah Matthews, Brianna Palmer, Jamal Matthews, Chauncey Palmer, Jianni Braxton, and Sy’Mara Palmer; his sisters Clementine Scott, Wilma Allen, all of Boston ; his brother Alvin Fields (Catherine) of Henderson, NC; his sisters-in law Matilda Livingston and Panthea Robinson of Boston, Brenda Brown (Jerome) and Celestine Debnam of Warren County, NC, Maxine Davis of Greensboro, NC and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

We are truly blessed and favored that God gave us this time with him!

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Lynwood Fields, please visit our floral store.