Vernon Solomon Fields

Vernon Soloman Fields, 92, of Lakeland Park, Glenwood, WV, met Christ on Friday, January 22, 2021 at his home. Born January 29^th, 1928 in Bluefield, VA, he was the son of James Jefferson and Jettie Elizabeth Combs Fields.

Vernon met the love of his life, Helen Marie White Fields, at the Bluefield, VA Church of God. They were married 67 years.

Shortly after Vernon and Helen were married, Vernon received his letter from Uncle Sam to serve in the Army. He was a medic in the Korean War and helped many comrades. He was running to help a soldier that had stepped on a landmine when he stepped on a landmine and lost part of his leg and foot. Cpl. Fields was treated in the Army Hospital in Osaka, Japan, Trippler VA Hospital in Hawaii, and the VA Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan. He continued his care at the VA Hospital in Beckley, WV until his death.

Vernon received an Honorable discharge from the Army. Cpl. Fields received the Bronze Star with “V” device for action near Yangu, North Korea. He is also a recipient of the Purple Heart.

Vernon had worked as a flagman on the railroad before being drafted to the Korean War. He was not physically able to continue his job on the N&W railroad in Cedar Bluff, VA, so he decided to attend a photography school in Clarksville, GA. He became a professional photographer taking pride in photographing John F. Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, Dolly Parton and many other celebrities. Many couples in and around Mercer County remember him taking their wedding photos. He became the photographer at the Bluefield Daily Telegraph taking photos of social organizations, Garden Clubs, school football games and other activities. He loved his job as he worked with his friend, Melvin Grubb, taking a variety of pictures including aerial photos.

Vernon worked many jobs including the railroad, Justice of the Peace of Mercer County, Photographer, Mercer County Deputy Sheriff, Inspector for the WV State Highway, and was the first volunteer at the “Those who Serve” War Museum in Princeton, WV. He faithfully worked there until he was 90 years old.

He was a member and State Commander of the Black Rock VFW Post 3112, member and commander of the DAV Chapter #31, member of Bluewell Lions and served as President of the Montcalm Area Improvement Association.

Vernon loved sitting on his deck in the warm sunshine, taking car rides to places where he grew up, fishing and listening to Gospel music. He also enjoyed singing and playing the piano, guitar, banjo and harmonica and often enjoyed playing music at his church, Echoes from Calvary.

Vernon resided in Montcalm, WV with his wife and family until he retired and moved to Lakeland Park near Glenwood. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, his brothers and sisters John, Perry, Eulice, Carl and Pauline Fields; Avery, Estil, Annie, Nannie, Marie, Viola and Gertrude Burchett; son in law Homer Wilson, daughter in law Kandi Fields.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children Donna Wilson, Vickie Akers (Willard), and Craig (Beth) Fields. He had four grandsons Jason Perdue (Kayla), Eric Akers (Lorrie), Jeremy Perdue (Tonya) and Brad Fields (Kristen), Great grandchildren Kaitlynn Davis, Atley Perdue and his sunshine, Elliana Fields, and Peyton Levi.

A Military service to celebrate the life of Vernon S. Fields will be held on Tuesday January 26^th at 11:00 AM at Cravens-Shires Chapel with Reverend Larry Dyer and Blake Bivens presiding. A Graveside service will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens with the Mercer County Veteran’s Honor Guard where family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Vernon’s family wishes to recognize the Beckley VA Hospital employees, Amedisys Hospice in Bluefield, WV employees and caregivers Shirley Walker, Bridget Bennett, Julie Mann and “Pedro” Akers, Jr. for their love and constant care. Special thanks to Patricia Kelly for her extra love and care.