Mrs. Clara Fields died on Wednesday, June 1, 2016. Clara Franklin Carter Fields, daughter of the late Lonnie Joseph Carter and Florence Elizabeth Hauser Carter, was born in Yadkinville, NC on November 21, 1935. She attended the public schools of Yadkinville. During her elementary and high school years she excelled in the visual arts and voice. Her musical talents led her to participate in a musical group that performed in homes, churches, community centers, and on commercial radio. They were also local backup singers for present day renowned artists such as Shirley Caesar and Clara Ward. After high school, Clara attended Bennett College where she continued to excel in music, visual arts, and movement. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Bennett in 1959. Clara's first job was at WB Wicker School in Sanford, NC where her extracurricular activities included displaying her artistic talents on colorful bulletin board and creative poster designs. It was her artistic talents at WB Wicker that attracted the attention of the love of her life, Harold Chesley Fields, and on June 28, 2016, they would have celebrated 56 years of marriage. During Clara's thirty-five year professional career, she was a member of: The American Teachers Association, The National Education Association (NEA), North Carolina Teacher's Association, North Carolina Classroom Teachers Association, North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), and the Greensboro Retired Association of School Personnel. In addition to her professional affiliations, she was an active member of Concerned Citizens of North- East Greensboro, East Side Civitan Group, Bennett College Alumnae Association, the NAACP, and a longstanding and faithful member of Trinity AME Zion Church. Though she remained active with professional, civic, community, and religious organizations throughout her life, Clara's family and friends were most important to her. She was a loving and giving spirit who was always giving something to someone whether it was jewelry, clothing, food, recipes, books, paintings, house wares, outdoor plants, Christmas ornaments, Halloween decorations, and the list goes on and on. She would even give advice, if she thought you needed it. Anything you can think of, Clara has probably given it to sisters, brothers, in-laws, nieces, nephews, church members, neighbors, students, and probably strangers. She was just that loving and giving. Most importantly, she gave with a loving heart. She genuinely loved people and always wanted the best for them. Clara loved football season, not because she cared for football or even watched the game. She just loved watching the game with her family. She was the family coordinator for all ticket and parking stickers for NC A&T's football games. If anybody needed a ticket to the game, all you had to do was "ask Aunt Clare." If you ever had a reason to forget what holiday it was, you only had to visit Clara's home. It was always decorated for the holiday d'jour, even Halloween. She especially loved Christmas and was the inspiration for at least one of her nieces to start a Black Santa collection. We will all miss her dearly. Clara is survived by her husband, Harold Chesley Fields; one son, Raphael Carter Fields (Shelly and daughter Jaillin); one sister, Edith C. Dacons; two sisters-in- law, Lillian Carter, and Marie Carter Isley; and a host of nieces and nephews, three of whom called her "Nanna" - Alexandria, Antonio, and Ashton Linney. A service honoring the life of Mrs. Fields will take place on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at Trinity AME Zion Church; 631 E. Florida Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27406. The visitation will begin at 11:30 am and the service will follow at 12:00 pm. The interment will be held at Lakeview Memorial Park; 3600 N Ohenry Boulevard, Greensboro, North Carolina 27405.