January 31, 2017
Patricia Ann Crawford Fields died peacefully on Tuesday, Jan 31, 2017, at age 78. She was beloved by her family whom she loved deeply and whose care she made the centerpiece of her life. She was wife to James Fields for over 53 years, mother of Karen Nelson and Brian Fields, grandmother of Kaleigh and Parker Nelson, and sister to Sara Gardner. Born and raised in Charleston SC, she graduated from North Charleston High School in 1955, then proudly received honors in the Coker University class of 1959, and was a teacher ever after.
A loyal friend, talented cook, legendary storyteller, welcoming hostess, and voracious reader. As an Army wife and an avid traveler, her wanderings took her to almost every state, and across Europe. She was devoted to serving her community-particularly fellow military families-and her churches. She loved animals and nature, and so she and her husband chose Knoxville and the Smokies for their years of retirement. Her generosity and humor shined to all who knew her. She is forever loved and profoundly missed.
The funeral will take place on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Family and friends will then gather on Monday at 9:20 a.m. at East Tennessee State Veterans’ Cemetery, John Sevier for the 9:30 a.m. interment service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to the Coker University Annual Scholarship Fund, https://www.coker.edu/after-coker/give-coker. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.rosemortuary.com
Published in Knoxville News Sentinel from Feb. 3 to Feb. 4, 2017 – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/knoxnews/obituary.aspx?n=patricia-crawford-fields&pid=183923049#sthash.ANQzwPbP.dpuf