Dr. James "Jim" Burl Fields

Dr. James (Jim) Burl Fields, 77, passed away on September 2, 2024, in Greeneville, Tennessee. Born on July 30, 1947, in Hopewell, Virginia, he was a dedicated husband, father, pastor, and friend. Jim was known to say that "a man preaches his funeral all his life" and he preached a memorable one!

The oldest son of six children born to Frank and Cassie Fields, he grew up helping his father run the family store - first in Cabin Point, Virginia, and later in Spring Grove, Virginia. He spent Wednesday afternoons hunting and fishing with his father and absorbing stories of Fields family history dating back to the 1700s. He freely shared this knowledge with others, especially his son, for the rest of his life.

After graduation from Surry (Virginia) Academy, Jim honorably served in the US Navy from 1965 to 1968. Following his military service, he pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech in 1972 and a Master of Science from Virginia State in 1977.

Between 1972 and 1993, he worked in a diverse range of roles, including County Extension Agent, Insurance Agent, Tire Salesman, Advertising Manager at the Rogersville Review, and Finance Manager at Fortune RV in Johnson City, Tennessee. During this time, he was also called to start Rogersville, Tennessee First Assembly of God, now known as Crossroads A/G.

In 1993, he completed his formal education by earning a Doctor of Education from East Tennessee State. He then joined the faculty of Tusculum University where he served at various times as a Professor of Education, Athletic Director, and Cross Country Coach until 2010. He also served as pastor of Bethesda Community Church from 2006 until he ‘semi-retired’ in 2012.

In many ways, his latter years were greater than the former ones as he served as senior pastor at Casi Full Gospel Church, was a popular guest preacher at Ashway Pentecostal Holiness Church, and became the self-proclaimed most requested funeral pastor in Greene County. Never one to sit on his hands, in 2019, at the young age of 71, he decided to build the energy efficient house of his dreams where he passed away this week with his loving wife of 28 years, Gayle, by his side.

Jim is survived by his wife, Gayle (Gilliam) Fields; his son, Kenneth Fields (Kelly); his daughter, Melody Mosley (Adam); grandchildren Kenton and Kade Fields and Lucy and Ellie Mosley; siblings Wanda Springsdorf (Gary), Lee Fields (Deborah), Brenda Matthews (Raymond), Deborah Zadai (Mike), and Mark Fields (Denise); and many nieces and nephews. He was an ‘adopted’ member of the Gilliam family including Gayle’s siblings, nieces, nephews, and a beloved ‘sugar doll’, Paislee Paxton.

The community will have the opportunity to pay their respects at the Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home (125 Idletime Drive, Greeneville). Viewing and Receiving Line will be held on Friday, September 6, from 5 to 7pm and on Saturday, September 7, from 12 to 2pm, followed by a Celebration of Life from 2 to 3pm.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Jim’s name to:

Ashway Pentecostal Holiness Church, 818 Asheville Hwy, Greeneville, TN 37743

or

Casi Full Gospel Church, 370 Cassi Rd, Chuckey, TN 37641

Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. The Greene County Honor Guard and US Navy Honors team will conduct a private graveside service.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kiserrosehillfuneralhome.com