Mrs. Ivy Eleanor Fields was born on April 5th, 1933, to the late Cyril and Sybil Ellis in Harlem NY. She was the youngest of 6 children. Her parents immigrated to this country from Barbados, West Indies. As a young child Ivy attended Gospel Hall 115th, Harlem, NY where she was active in Sunday school and other church activities. She often would reminisce about her teenage years at the "meeting room" and the lifelong relationships that she developed. It was there where she first accepted Christ.

 Ivy attended NYC public schools and graduated high school. Shortly after graduating high school in 1949, she met and married the late Robert Lee Bunch. From this three-year union her first daughter Robin was born.

 Ivy began her career at the telephone company and held various jobs until she decided to attend nursing school where she graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse. While in nursing school she met the true love of her life, Burley Odell Fields and after a short courtship the two wed on June 12, 1965. From this union her second daughter Rhonda was born.

 While working part time as a nurse, and raising her children, Ivy became a licensed home day care provider. She loved working with children and their families and saw her work as vital in shaping young minds.

After moving to the Northeast Bronx, Ivy rededicated her life to Christ at the Trinity Baptist Church, where she and Odell became members, under the leadership of the late Dr. Nathanial Tyler Lloyd. Ivy hit the ground running in her work for Christ. As 2nd Timothy 2:15 tells us to study to show thyself approved, rightly dividing the word of truth… study is exactly what she did. Ivy, with her husband by her side, attended numerous conferences, retreats, Sunday school and, other activities that enabled her to grow spiritually, and pass this knowledge on to others. 

She had weekly bible studies, all night prayer meetings, retreats, and good old fashion fellowship with the Saints at her home. She wanted everyone she met to know Christ and grow in the faith. Her friends nicknamed her and Odell, Priscilla and Aquila after the mentors of the early church who opened their home to the Saints in the book of Acts.

Ivy loved to just have fun, especially with the Saints and would often host celebrations and other events at her home. She loved to entertain and throw a good party.

 One of her most significant achievements while at Trinity, was her founding and leading the Trinity's Children for Christ ministry. This ministry focused on the spiritual development of children via weekly bible study and a yearly weekend retreat to Mountainview Bible Camp in PA.

These precious times at Mountainview were inspirational to both the children and the counselors. Numerous children received Christ at these retreats and those who helped in the ministry formulated lifelong bonds. Many of both the counselors and students have gone on to full time ministry and have often credited their time spent at Mountainview as one of the major catalysts for them entering full time ministry.

During this time period Ivy and Odell purchased King Tot Nursery and Kindergarten. She made this a family enterprise. Robin, her daughter was the educational director, and she provided numerous employment opportunities for both family and friends. People would often joke that she was running an empire as the school thrived under her leadership. King Tot became a well-known pre-school educational facility in the Northeast Bronx; in fact, all of the elementary schools in the area were eager to receive her graduates.

Upon her retirement and relocation to Florida, Ivy became active in numerous churches both in Clearwater, and Spring Hill, Florida where she lived. As with everywhere Ivy went, she established numerous friendships, and continued to mentor and develop the saints in each local assembly that she attended. Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, New Hope Baptist Church and Antioch Fellowship Baptist Church were a few of the assemblies she was active in, and supportive of, both spiritually and financially throughout the years. 

 After much prayer and fasting Ivy and Odell were one of the founding members of Destiny Baptist Church of Spring Hill, Florida under the former leadership of Rev Benjamin Myers, and present Pastor Rev. Mel Harris. She was very active here until her illness.

 In her later years she also rekindled a special relationship with the Saints at Grace and Truth Gospel Hall, in Brooksville Florida which is part of the Gospel Hall Assemblies of her youth.

Ivy was a dynamic person, who lived out her faith in Christ. She loved her family, and her commitment to others was unprecedented. Her generosity of spirit was extended to family, friends, and strangers alike. Ivy became the family matriarch, and the last surviving sibling of the Ellis family. She valued her family and did what she could to be an aunt and spiritual guide to them. She was truly a people person and lived out her vertical relationship with Christ in her horizontal relationships with others.

Ivy departed this life for her heavenly home on December 22nd, 2022. She leaves to mourn: her husband of 57 years Burley Odell Fields, two daughters, Robin Boone of Newport News, VA, and Rhonda Dozier (Troy) of Houston Texas, granddaughter Justina, affectionately called "Joy" by her grandmother, and a host of nieces' nephews and spiritual children.

Ivy will be missed by her family and friends, but we gain comfort in knowing that to be "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:8  Rest in power, Sister Fields, while we won't say goodbye we will say "See you in Glory"

It is the desire of the Fields  family that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

The family of Mrs. Ivy E. Fields  has entrusted her final care to C. C. Carter Funeral Home, Inc.