FIELDS — Our matriarch, Mrs. Ira Lee Parland Fields, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022.
She was born Aug. 9, 1950, to the late James Parland and Willie Mae Moody Small. She received her education in the public schools of Camden County, Ga., and graduated from Ralph Johnson Bunche High School with honors in the class of 1968. After graduation, she attended Edward Waters College, where she received her Bachelor of Education degree in 1976. She graduated at the top of her class and received a Presidential Award for Academics.
While in college, she became a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. She started her teaching career at St. Marys Elementary School. She was also a teacher for the Duval County Public School System. She spent a lot of her time teaching special needs children.
From an early age, Ira was a devoted Christian and was involved with multiple ministries within the church. She was a listening ear to others, and she never met a stranger. Ira was very humble and authentic, and took pride in being genuine. She was a very loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She lived by the saying, “Love is not just something that you talk about. Love is something that you do.”
Ira is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Fields; parents, James Parland and Wille Mae Parland Small; stepfather, Herny Small Jr. (Pop); two brothers, Thomas and James Henry Parland; and sister, Betty Jarrett.
She leaves to celebrate her life and legacy four loving children, Jacque Parland, Jannee Glover, Jimuan Fields and Joy Roberts; eight grandchildren, Yvette Carter, Jacque Carter (Man), Erica Carter, Jyra Graham, Javon Parland, Jayvyn Taylor, Jishawn Fields and Mason Fields; siblings, Mary Harris, Jackie Parland and Herbert Parland; godsister and cousin, Annetta Ramsey; special niece, Sandra Gates; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at Kinlaw Cemetery on Old Still Road in Kingsland. A walk-through visitation is 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Masks are required.
Sunset Funeral home is in charge of arrangements.