Deacon Leroy Fields, Jr.

Leroy Fields, Jr. was born on January 16, 1927, to Leroy Fields, Sr. and Rosa Lee Fields in Alachua County, Florida, as the oldest of seven children. While still in high school, Leroy Fields, Jr. was drafted to the U.S. Army Aviation Division for World War II. He received an honorable discharge for service in October 1946. Upon returning from the war, Leroy Fields, Jr. completed high school as an honor student and later joined St. Matthews M.B. Church in Jacksonville, Florida. After working with his father to support the family, Leroy left Florida to attend N.C. A&T State University in Greensboro, N.C. After graduating in June 1955, he was assigned as a Math Teacher at Union High School in Clinton, N.C. While there, he was a Science Advisor, Math Advisor, and winning basketball coach.

In 1959, Leroy met Nepolia Moore when she arrived at the school as the Home Economics teacher from N.C. Central University. They were married June 11, 1961, and raised three daughters. After marriage, Mr. Fields taught in Virginia, Brunswick County, and for three years at S.W. Snowden in Aurora, N.C., adding Boy Scout Advisor to his resume. After two years at Blue Cross Blue Shield in Florida, Leroy Fields, Jr. moved to Raleigh, N.C. to complete computer training at N.C. State University. He was then hired as a Computer Programmer for the N.C. Employment Security Commission. During these transitions, Leroy Fields, Jr. maintained his membership at St. Matthews in Florida until he joined St. Francis M.B. Church in Blounts Creek, N.C. in 1975, where he was later appointed as an ordained Deacon in 1988 and Trustee Chair in 1989. Deacon Fields retired as a Computer Operator from Wake County Public School System in 1992.

During retirement, Deacon Fields dedicated much time to the creation and growth of the N.M. Fields Scholarship Fund through programs, concerts, and fundraising providing scholarships to local High School graduates.

Deacon Fields also spent time visiting his daughters and grandchildren and as a dedicated man of faith working on many projects for the church, Beaufort/Pitt Union and New Bern Eastern Missionary Baptist Association. His spiritual journey included prayer warrior, Sunday School superintendent and teacher, Usher, Trustee, Treasurer, Deacon, and Men’s Day participant. He was also an honorary member of the Beaufort/Pitt Union Program Committee and Association Trustees. He enjoyed fellowship, fishing, and traveling. Although not a vocalist, he loved gospel music and could be found helping out in some community choirs. Deacon Fields was faithful until the end. He departed this life peacefully at his home in Raleigh, N.C. and entered his eternal home on Saturday, February 7, 2026.

Deacon Fields was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Rosa Fields; his wife Nepolia M. Fields; two brothers, Solomon Fields and Joseph Fields; and one sister, Gloria Dukes. He leaves to cherish his memory: three daughters, Cassandra Garner (Jeffres) of Raleigh, N.C., Alicia Minkins (André) of Greensboro, N.C., and Valerie K. Fields (Shelton Russell) of Garner, N.C.; seven grandsons, Alexander Garner, Joshua Garner, Jonathan Garner, Zane Minkins, Zuriel Minkins, James Swanson, and Philip Russell; one great grandson, Asani-James Minkins; three sisters, Marietta Blue Hobbs, Gwendolyn Collins Fields and Beverly Ann Fields (all of Jacksonville, FL); and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and brothers & sisters in Christ.

Viewing will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM at People's Memorial Chapel. Viewing will also be held  prior the Service. Funeral services will held at 12:30 PM Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the New Bern Eastern Missionary Baptist Association Headquarters, 885 NC 306 Hwy N. Grantsboro, NC 28529. Interment will follow in the St. Francis Church Cemetery. 

Expressions of sympathy and condolences may be directed to the Fields Family through our website at www.peoplesfuneralest.com, by fax at (252) 940-6889, or via email at peoplesfh219@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, please make Memorial contributions to the N. M. Fields Scholarship Fund.

We kindly ask that you keep the Fields Family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time of loss.

Services of Love & Compassion have been entrusted to People’s Funeral Establishment of Washington, North Carolina.

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