Martha Joan Fields

Martha was born on April 17, 1941 and was the 8th of 13 children born to the late Louise Magby-Cofield and James “Elmer” Cofield in Roanoke, Alabama. Martha professed her faith in Christ at an early age at the Friendship Baptist Church in Roanoke and was a member of the church choir. Martha graduated from the Randolph County Training School, Roanoke, Alabama in 1959. Shortly after graduation, Martha moved to Dayton, Ohio where she was employed as a Civilian Administration Specialist at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Martha united with the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church where she also was a member of the church choir. Martha met the love of her life, Franklin Fields while at Wright-Patterson. They were married on November 17, 1967. During their 47 years of marriage, Martha was a dedicated and supportive military spouse following her husband to various locations around the world including Turkey, the states of Louisiana and Georgia, eventually settling in San Antonio, Texas. Martha retired from civil service at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, after many years of government service.

Martha loved and enjoyed life to the fullest. She enjoyed playing bingo, bowling and playing the slots. She was a huge San Antonio Spurs fans and loved her some Luther Vandross and Johnnie Taylor music, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her large family and friends far and near. She enjoyed traveling and meeting up with friends and family. Martha was never too busy to share a kind and encouraging word. She possessed a kind and giving heart and truly believed that if SHE had a dollar, YOU had a dollar. Her favorite sayings were “How ‘bout those Spurs” and “Everything is going to be alright”. Positivity was her other middle name.

Martha is preceded in death by here parents Louise and James “ Elmer” Cofield, three sisters, Annie Laura Oree, Thelma Thornton, and Evon Cofield; two brothers, James “Jimmy” Cofield and Sidney Cofield and mother-in-law Teresa Fields.

She leaves behind to cherish her beautiful life and it’s memories, her devoted husband Franklin Fields of San Antonio, Texas; two sisters; Lela Graham and Merdice “Jean” (Walter) Shepherd both of Dayton, Ohio; and five brothers, Willie Cofield, Joe Cofield, both of Cleveland, Ohio; John (Bernice) Cofield of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Jesse (Beverly) Cofield and Billy Cofield both of Dayton, Ohio and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, one aunt, and one uncle. She leaves a host of dear devoted friends; Ruby Nell Brown, Liz Bell, Juanita Nason, Frances Douglas, Linda Jackson and Rose Harris and family and many others.

A visitation will be held on Monday, January 12, 2015 at Colonial Funeral Home at 11:30 AM. with a Chapel Service beginning at 12:30 PM. Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

A repast will be held at Colonial Funeral Home following the graveside service.