Elbert Payson Fields Sr.

Mr. Elbert Payson Fields, Sr., 83, passed away peacefully at his home the evening of December 6, 2010. He was born January 29, 1927 in Kingston, Georgia; a son of the late Eugene Spencer Fields, Sr. and Grace Parris Fields. He attended Taylorsville High School and graduated from Carroll Lynn School of Business in Rome, Georgia. He served in the United States Army from July 1945 to February 1947 with the 402nd Field Artillery Battalion, part of the famed Rainbow Division, of the 7th Army, which helped liberate Dachau Concentration Camp, and occupied Austria. He served again January 1951 to March 1954 at Fort Lee, Virginia where he achieved the rank of Sergeant. He was a retired member of Carpenters’ Local #225 Atlanta, Georgia. He was a member of Heritage Baptist Church, Cartersville, Georgia.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Sonja Gentry Fields of Kingston, his children and their spouses; Elbert Payson Jr. and Lori Fields of Euharlee, Twyla Fields Ulery and Robert Ulery of Nolensville, Tennessee, Jayson and Katy Fields of Kingston; two sisters and one brother-in-law Wilma Fields Cantrell of Cartersville, and Caroline Fields Mullins and Ted Mullins of Perkasie, Pennsylvania; sister-in-law Delorzie Fields of Wichita, Kansas; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Ralph and Betty Gentry of Kingston, Georgia; eight grandchildren; Joshua and Grace Fields, Reed, Laura, and Graham Ulery, Spencer, Henry and Frances Fields; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Elbert was born and grew up on his family farm in Kingston, Georgia where he became an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing and farming. He left home to join the United States Army during the World War II era and was part of the Occupation Forces in Europe. He traveled 46 of the lower 48 states with his mobile home business. He returned to Kingston to marry his bride, Sonja, purchased land and lived out his life. He loved to play and sing hymns. He was an accomplished cook. After his retirement, he was busier than ever as the proud granddaddy of eight grandchildren. He attended innumerable recitals, plays and parties. He is well beloved and will be greatly missed.

As a member of Carpenter’s Local #225, Atlanta, Georgia he helped build Georgia Power Plant Bowen, Anheiser Busch Bottling Plant and Atlantic Steel in Cassville as well as many other commercial buildings in Atlanta.

Preceded in death by his brother Eugene Spencer Fields, Jr. of Wichita, Kansas, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Henry Grady Gentry, Sr. and Laura Miller Gentry of Kingston, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Henry Grady Gentry, Jr. and Linnie Mae Roberson Gentry; Morris Ray Gentry and JoDell Hubbard Gentry.

Pall Bearers will be Donald Gentry, Jimmie Gentry, Joshua Fields, Jacob Baker, Tyler Gentry, Larry Gentry, Alan Gentry, and Ryan Lowery. Honorary Pall Bearers are Spencer Fields, Reed Ulery, Henry Fields, Graham Ulery, Bud Fields, Jack Dempsey, Larry Little, Ralph Gentry, Jim Davis and Wayne Brownlow.

Family will receive friends at the Owen Funeral Home, Cartersville, Georgia from 4:00 to 7:00 pm Wednesday, December 8th. Elbert will lie in repose at Heritage Baptist Church, Cartersville from 12:00 to 1:00 pm, Thursday, December 9th. Funeral Services will follow immediately at Heritage Baptist Church at 1:00 pm with Jon Goltz and Jeff Wright officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery, Euharlee Road, Kingston, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers please send a gift to the Heritage Baptist Church Endowment Fund.

Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive, Cartersville, is in charge of the arrangements.