John Paul Fields, Sr.

A graveside service honoring the life of John Paul Fields Sr. will be held Thursday, January 7, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Mt. Lebanon, Louisiana. John Paul was born in Saline, LA, February 13, 1925 to F.B. and Eva Corbitt Fields. At the age of 9 the family moved to Gibsland where his father was Agriculture agent for the railroad. John Paul graduated from Gibsland High School in 1942. He passed away January 3,2021 at his home in Gibsland. He served in the U.S. Army during WWll in Europe, receiving the Purple Heart, for injuries he received in Germany. He served in the 6th armored of the 3rd Army, serving under General Patton. After returning home to Gibsland he Married Nan Merritt, from Shreveport, LA on April 13, 1947. In 2018 they celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary. He is preceded in death by his beloved Nan, his parents, brother W.C. Fields and sister-in-law Libby. He is survived by 3 sons and daughters-in-law, John Paul, Jr. and Susan Fields, of Gibsland LA, David and Lee Ann Fields, of Arcadia and Mark and Ann Fields of Fayetteville, AR. 7 grandchildren, Shellie LeDoux and husband Randall, Karen Fields, Johnette Fields, Justin Fields, John Fields and wife Sarah, Rachel Rivet and husband Joshua, Dr. Matthew Fields and wife Carol, great-grandchildren, Bradley Fields and girlfriend Bailey Bruce, Jake Hubbard and wife Amy, Brandon Hubbard, Russell Hubbard, Josh and Ashlan Fields, Charlotte and Parker Fields, Mac and Vivienne Rivet and great-great-grandchildren, Kasyn, Ava and Scarlett. At the time of his death, there were 5 generations of Fields living. He is also survived by his sister, Eva Deil Mabry and husband Don, and sister-in-law, Lawanna Fields, and by a host of nieces, nephews and other family and friends. He went into the sweet potato business with his father after the war growing sweet potato seed and plants. He formed what later became J.P. Fields and Sons business, He was in the sweet potato business until his retirement in 1995. He has been a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Gibsland since the age of 9. He was baptized and became a member on June 27, 1934 and served as a deacon for over 70 years. He also served as church clerk for many years. He was a founding member and first president of the National Sweet Potato Council, in 1963. His sons, David and Mark also served in later years as President of the National Sweet Potato Council. The Fields family is the only family with 3 Presidents of the organization. He was a member of the Louisiana Sweet Potato Association and past President. He was a member and chairman of the Louisiana Sweet Potato Advertisement and Development Commission for four 4-year terms. In 1963 he was Louisiana King of the Yambilee Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana. He received the Louisiana Sweet Potato Association distinguished service award. He was a member of the Louisiana Farm Bureau. He was the first chairman and member of the Bienville Parish Head Start Program. He was a member for over 71 years and was past president of the Gibsland Lions Club. He was a member of the American Legion. He was past chairman and member of the Gibsland Housing Authority. He served on the board of trustees of the Baptist Retirement Home in Arcadia. He was a member of the Bienville Parish Chamber of Commerce. In 2014 he was awarded the Bienville Parish Heritage Award. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed working in his garden, and growing pine-apple plants. The family would like to express their gratitude to John Paul's caregivers, Julie Noble, Wendy Pyles and Carla Cummins who provided him with loving care that allowed him to stay in his home until his death. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gibsland First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 517 Gibsland LA 71028, Baptist Children's Home P.O. Box 4196 Monroe, LA71211, Bienville Parish 4-H 2710 Maple Street Arcadia, LA 71001, or any Veteran group of choice.