My life was wonderful and blessed. Throughout my life, I became a wife, mother, poet, community advocate, business woman, and a superb cook of southern cuisine. I was born on November 13, 1931 to Lockett and Leatha McElroy-Harris. I was the third and I had three sisters (Willie Mae, Juanita, and Christine) and three brothers (Henry, Lockett, Jr. and Louis) all of which preceded me in death. I met and married an intelligent man named Edward Fields in Birmingham Alabama. We had our first child Frederick Fields in Birmingham, Alabama and after we adventured to Detroit, Michigan. I landed a job at the Visiting Nurse Association and he landed a job at Ford Motor Company. Plus on top of that we had four more children Vickie Joyce, Edward Jr. “Bud”(who preceded me in death), Linda Jean, and Juanita. During the years, I became affectionately known to friends and family as “Earnestine the Queen”. Sometimes I was even known as “Sweet Earnestine”, “Earnie” and “Guzs” affectionate names my three daughters made for me. And if that wasn’t enough God blessed me even more because I was baptized in the Baptist Church at an early age, and I continued worshiping and serving the Lord at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with my children. I was fortunate to later become a confirmed Deacon, serving over 20 years. I was then blessed to join St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership Pastor David L. Lewis Sr., my son-in-law. Plus on top of that I was fortunate and blessed to open my home as an advocate and event host for young ladies of and near the Griggs Street community for the Fascinators Girls Club which was founded by neighbor and community leader Mrs. Loretta (Curtis) Cook. I also started and branded LynNita Janitoral Services and creating well-paying jobs for young teenagers in the Cooley High School area. I eventually retired after serving 30 years at the Visiting Nursing Association. During that time, I became the first Union Stewart for the organization and was honored for my work as Union Stewart at my retirement. Lord Jesus gave me many blessings: two grandsons Dr. David Leroy Lewis Jr. and Edward Fields III “Booder”; two great grandchildren: Orlando and Omariah Fields; nephews and nieces: Percy Ward, Deloris (Donald) Mason, Carolyn (Errol) Culpepper, Arnetta (Ralph) Brooks, Ruthie Shnell Harris, Louis Harris, Jr. and Lois Harris. One grand daughter-in-law Dr. LaTasha Lewis; two god children: Miranda Perry and Kevin Miles Jenkins; and special loved ones: Dr. Felicitas Gonzales, Morris Howard, Earl Dowell, Robert and Tanja Moore, Terri Cooper, My church family, my loving caregivers, and the entire Lewis family! If I could speak to you all today I would probably say it as the song Juanita wrote for me – I am free from pain and sorrow I am free from sad tomorrows I’ll miss you all and the times we shared Don’t cry, dry your tears ‘Cause, I am free, I’m with the angels I’m with Christ our Lord and Savior Don’t cry for me I’m free, I’m free So be HAPPY for me! ‘Cause, I’m free I’m with our King I walk gold streets I am free Be happy ‘cause, I’m here in ever after Still waters and green pastures Don’t cry for me, I’m free, I’m free. © Feb.2017 Juanita Fields