In Memory of Henry Fields
February 7, 2021
 | Dr. William Henry Fields of Toccoa passed away Sunday, February 7, at his home outside of Toccoa, Georgia surrounded by family. Born March 11, 1936 in Augusta, GA, to the late John Neal and Willie Maude West Fields, "Henry" was the couple's sixth of eight children and only son. Raised on farms in Bel-Air and Grovetown, Henry was taught hard work and service to others at an early age. He graduated from Richmond Academy in Augusta before attending the Georgia Institute of Technology where in 1959 he received a bachelor's degree in textile engineering. He remained a proud Yellow Jacket surrounded by Bulldogs and Tigers for the rest of his life.
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The photos below reflect Henry's fellowship with the Alumni of the Baptist Student Union of Georgia Tech. The fellowship has continued from the 1950's to the present as a reflection of the "just and intimate community" that was created in this Christian fellowship. Many of the participants in this continuing came together under the leadership of Warren and Sue Woolf. Each of the photos below is an active link to a record of the event where it was taken.
Feeling a call to the ministry, Henry attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky where he received a master's degree in Theology in 1961 and, years later, a PHD in that subject. As a pastor, he loved growing the church congregation, developing personal relationships, and helping people find and/or develop a deeper relationship with Christ.
His forty years of ministry included: Thixton Lane Baptist Church, Louisville, KY, 1960-1962; Macedonia Baptist Church in Newnan, GA, 1963-1967; Green Acres Baptist in Smyrna, GA from 1967-1972; First Baptist Church, Tallapoosa, GA, 1972-1977; First Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, 1977-1985; and First Baptist Church, Toccoa, GA, 1985-2000. After retiring from First Baptist, Toccoa, Henry served as an interim minister at Bethany Baptist Church, Hartwell, GA; Sardis Baptist Church, Hartwell, GA; Bethabara Baptist Church, Statham, GA and Clarkesville Baptist Church, Clarkesville, GA.
An avid writer, Henry penned regular columns of personal reflections in The Tallapoosa Journal, Waycross Journal-Herald and The Toccoa Record. He also authored four books: "Lord, Let Them Know I care," "Ramblings," "Scratchpad Ponderings," and "Rhythms of Life."
Wherever he was, Henry took his calling beyond church walls, serving his community in leadership rolls ranging from multiple civic clubs to food banks, charity drives, mission trips, building projects, water conservation, and higher education. He was particularly interested in working with young people and on Friday nights, and during many weekday practices, he was a sideline regular as team chaplain for the Waycross Bulldog and the Stephens County Indian football teams. He was fond of ending his pre-game prayer with a simple request to "let the boys in red come out a little bit ahead." The boys in red won a lot of championships. Seeing others succeed fueled his work and was one of his greatest sources of pride. He tried to never judge people for their falls, choosing instead to encourage and cheer their rise.
His greatest passion was his family. Perhaps the most devastating blow of his life came when his father died from a heart attack when Henry was thirteen. However, the willpower of his mother, and support from seven sisters taught him the importance of staying close to those with whom he shared a bloodline. The men and women in his community who helped him reach his goals taught him the importance of friendship and giving people a hand up. When he and his wife, Betty, started their own family, he reveled in his relationships with his children, grandchildren and all their friends. He had many titles though the years, his favorites being "dad" and "Papa Henry." When his grandchildren chose to attend his alma mater's arch- rivals, Clemson, and Georgia, he proudly added those school logos next to a yellow jacket on the back of his truck.
Henry married the love of his life, Betty Jeanes, in 1961. She survives him along with his daughter Lee Ellen and her husband, Ron Addington, of Toccoa; son, Michael, and his wife, Susan of Cartersville; grandchildren Sam Fulbright, Sydney Fulbright, Ellie Fields, Maggie Fields, Alicia Addington, and Rob and Annie Addington. He is also survived by his sister, Betty Thomas of Tifton, GA and brother-in-law, Dennis Pauley of Toccoa. He was predeceased by both parents and his sisters: Louise Cook, Elmo Morris, Julia Agee, Ophelia Hatch, Ann Fields, and Janie Pauley.
Due to conditions concerning the health and well-being of Henry's family, friends and community, the family will regretfully have no formal visitation. A private service will be held at The First Baptist Church with Rev. David Ritcey and the Rev. Brett Sanders officiating. The service will be streamed live at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, February 10, on the First Baptist Church, Toccoa's Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Toccoa's General Fund or The Henry and Betty Fields Scholarship Fund at The Mercer University McAfee School of Theology.
| Trip to Pearl River |
2021