Jw Fields

Junior Wade Fields, 98, of Jonesboro, formerly of Hickory Ridge, passed away on April 17, 2025, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro.

He was born on April 18, 1926 to Sam Fields and Rose Burton Fields in Cabot. JW was a devoted Christian and was of the Baptist faith. He attended Hickory Ridge Missionary Baptist Church for many years. Dedicated to his country, he was a proud WWII Veteran of the United States Navy, serving as a postmaster across from the bread makers on the USS Laurens, transporting officers in the Pacific. After his military service, JW began a career in farming. He also served at the Hickory Ridge Food Bank, delivering food to families. JW eventually retired from Fair Oaks Dryer giving out truck tickets. Always resourceful, he proudly invented a pole to hand out tickets from his booth.

An avid outdoorsman, JW loved hunting and fishing. This passion led him on all sorts of adventures – from deep sea fishing to big game hunting in British Columbia where he hunted mountain goats, caribou, and grizzly bears. JW was also a fan of basketball and never missed his children’s or grandchildren’s games.

JW had a wonderful sense of humor and effortlessly made those around him laugh. He was blessed with the gift of story-telling and was always entertaining. JW had a deep love for his family and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

In addition to his parents, JW was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Mattie Maxine Callahan Fields; daughter, Judith Fields Stevenson; son, Michael Dennis Fields; brothers, Sammy, Tommy, Frank, Fred, Barney, and Paul Fields; and sister, Melissa “Fannie” Nubbie.

He is survived by his daughter, Donna (Lance) Harper of Jonesboro; sister, Rose Mae Fields Sawyer of Marion; grandchildren, Michael Dennis (Linda) Stevenson of Jonesboro, David Paul Stevenson of Jonesboro, Stephanie (Eric) Teague of Benton, Gretchen (Jeff) Davis of Springfield, Missouri, and Isaac and Levi Davis, also of Springfield; great-grandchildren, Gunter, Molly, Melanie, and Josie Stevenson, Eli and Collin Wade Teague, and Vivian Louise Davis; numerous nieces and nephews; and a lifetime of friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations please be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Pl. Memphis, TN 38105, Christian Valley Christian Church at 2016 Valley View Dr. Jonesboro, AR 72404, or Living Waters Recovery Ministry at 2179 Hwy 64 West, Wynne, AR 72396.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Lewis Cemetery in Hickory Ridge with Doug Callahan officiating. Military honors will be performed by the United States Navy.