Roscoe Fields

Mr. A. Roscoe Fields was born on April 2, 1927 to loving parents, the late Clara Blount Fields and Arnold Fields in Farmville, North Carolina. His early education was received at the Farmville Colored Elementary and High School. After graduating from high school, he served in the U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II. While he was in the military he was stationed at Shepherd Air Field, Wichita, Texas and Eglin Field, Pensacola, Florida. Following an honorable discharge from military service, he attended Elizabeth City State Teachers College (now Elizabeth City State University) where he played on two championship football teams, ably filling the positions of left and right tackle, and showing additional versatility by playing both offense and defense. After graduating in May 1950 with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, he accepted a job teaching and coaching basketball at Mary Johnson High School in Franklin, Georgia. He made a significant move in August 1953 when he accepted a teaching position at Moton Elementary School in Easton, Maryland. This was followed by teaching assignments at Glenwood Elementary School in Easton, and Upper County Elementary School in Cordova, Maryland. At Upper County he advanced to the position of principal. Following his service at Upper County, he served as principal of Idlewild Elementary School in Easton. Mr. Fields accepted the challenge to serve all the students in the state of Maryland by working as a specialist in compensatory education with the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Urban and Supplementary Programs, Compensatory Education Branch. He remained there until his retirement in 1987. While pursuing an exemplary professional career, Mr. Fields found the time and energy to serve his community through his membership in and support of several community institutions and organizations. He was a member of New Queen Esther A. M. E. Church, where he was a member of the Board of Trustees and President of the Lay Organization. When he was a member of Bethel A. M. E. Church, he served as Chairman Pro Tem of the Board of Stewards, Chairman Pro Tem of the Board of Trustees, District Superintendent of Church Schools for the Baltimore District, director of Vacation Church School, President and Vice President of the Lay Organization, and Secretary of the Stewardship and Finance committee. At Bethel, he also served as Chairperson of the church Centennial celebration, Chair of the Window Restoration Committee, Chair of the Message Board Committee, and served as a delegate to the Lay Organization Biennial. Mr. Fields was a Golden Life Heritage Member of the NAACP, and led the Easton, Maryland chapter of that organization as President, Vice President, and Chair of the Education Committee. He attended national NAACP conventions and the Maryland State NAACP Conferences of Branches as a delegate. He was a life member of Blake-Blackston Post #77 of the American Legion, where he chaired the Children and Youth Committee and the Building Fund. Mr. Fields was a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and served as president of the Delta Gamma Sigma chapter. For that chapter, he was Chair of the Education Committee and Financial Secretary. He was also a delegate to both national and regional conventions and conferences. Mr. Fields found time to maintain his interest in the education of our youth through his positions as president of the Talbot County Teachers Association, president of the Talbot County Retired Personnel Association, and Chair of the Talbot County Teachers Association Legislative Committee. He also served the youth of Easton as a member of the Troop Committee for Boy Scout Troop 119. He was a believer in giving back to those individuals and institutions that nurtured him, exemplified by his life membership in the General Alumni Association of Elizabeth City State University. Mr. Fields shared his talents for organization and consensus building during his term as Chair of the Board of Commissioners for the Town of Easton Housing Authority. He relied on his knowledge of the principles of proper financial stewardship during the time he served as President and Vice President of the Talbot County Teachers Federal Credit Union. In addition to his numerous commitments to the community and his profession, Mr. Fields, a dedicated lifelong learner, continued his education, earning a Master of Arts degree from New York University and pursued additional graduate studies at Georgetown University, Salisbury State College (now Salisbury State University), Loyola College, and Trinity College. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Mrs. O’Neal Fields, and his brother, Mr. James H. Fields, Sr. He leaves to mourn him a daughter, Rosalind, and her husband Dennis; a son, Arnold, and his wife, Jacqueline; five grandsons – Damian, Travis, Jermaine, Kordney, and Jordan, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and brothers and sisters-in-law that will truly miss him and his wise counsel. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Roscoe Fields, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Roscoe Fields

April 2, 1927 - November 29, 2014