Mrs. Doris Jeanne Fields-Walker

Doris Jeanne Fields Walker, age 74, passed away on July 1, 2017 after a short, but hard fought battle with cancer. Doris was born on January 28, 1943 in Lynch, Kentucky to James Fields and Annie Mae Dawkins Fields (later Erwin).

Doris spent her childhood between Asheville, NC, St. Albans, NY, and Cleveland, OH. In 1960, Doris graduated from East High School in Cleveland. In December 1961, Doris enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed in Bainbridge, Berlin, MD. During her time in the Navy, Doris became a dental hygienist. After an honorable discharge in 1964, Doris reconnected with a high school friend, Earl Walker. In 1966, Doris and Earl married in New York, NY. In 1968, Doris gave birth to her only child, Asha Damali. In 1972, Doris and Earl moved to Cleveland, where Earl enrolled in medical school and Doris taught dental hygiene at the Cuyahoga County Community College. Shortly thereafter, Doris enrolled in college at Cleveland State University, where she graduated with a bachelor of arts in 1977. Shortly after graduating from college, Doris and Earl relocated to Boston, MA. Unfortunately, in 1979, Doris divorced Earl and moved back to Cleveland.

Upon her return to Cleveland with her daughter Asha, Doris worked as a dental hygienist for several dentists. Eventually, Doris decided to make a career change and enrolled in the Cleveland State Marshall School of Law, where she graduated in the Spring of 1988. After graduating from law school, Doris worked for the Cuyahoga County Office of Labor and Employment Relations. Doris retired in 2002 after creating the Red Ribbon program, which advocated against drug abuse. In her retirement, Doris devoted her energy to Bethany Baptist Church in Cleveland, where she served as the church secretary.

In 2012, Doris relocated to Toledo to be near her daughter Asha, son-in-law Mark and her 3 grandchildren, Caeli, Justin, and Dominic. While in Toledo, Doris became a member of Cass Road Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and donated her time to the Victory Center, which has the mission of providing hope to cancer survivors. Doris was also a member of the African American Women’s Center Support Group and the Successful Living Book Club.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents Annie Mae Erwin, James Fields, and Thelma Fields, and her brothers Melvin Erwin and Robert Fields. Left to mourn her are her daughter Asha Barnes and son-in-law Mark Barnes, her siblings Gerrye Erwin, Venita Erwin, Michael Erwin, and Jequetta Steele, her grandchildren Caeli Alexis, Justin Philip, and Dominic Jason Barnes, her niece Shayla Steele, and nephews Dameon Winlock, Jemar Steele, Isaiah Reese, and Toby Steele, Jr., her uncle Jimmie Dawkins, and her many cousins and friends from Asheville, NC.

Those who knew Doris will remember her by her infectious smile, her quick wit, her bubbly personality, and her warm-hearted sense of humor. Doris was generous with her love, time, and advice. Her focus on loving the Lord and regular study of the Bible have prepared her for her new journey with the Lord.

Family and friends are invited to visitation on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at Cummings and Davis Funeral Home from 4 to 7pm. Wake and Funeral Services will be held Thursday, July 13, 2017 at Bethany Baptist Church on 105th st 10am and 10:30am respectively. A military burial will take place at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio at 10am on July 14, 2017.