Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Henson Valley Christian Church

Arlington National Cemetery

Mrs. Irene Wright Fields was born on December 27, 1933 to the late William Wright and Ida Horton Wright.  She departed this life on November 6, 2019 in Fort Washington, Maryland. 

Born the second of seven children and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Irene attended the historic Burke High School. Soon after, she married her husband of 64 years, Charles E. Fields.  As a dedicated wife and mother, Irene was known as an independent and outspoken woman devoted to supporting her children and husband’s military career.  Irene loved domestic as well as international travel and especially enjoyed frequent trips to her home in South Carolina, and the Caribbean including the Bahamas.  Her hobbies included playing Bridge, making ceramics and stained glass, drawing, and whale-watching. 

Irene worked as an H&R Block Instructor, Supervisor, and Tax Preparer.  She was an accomplished accountant and financial consultant.  Irene was also a supervisor in the Future Farmers of America Circulation Department and worked for the University of Maryland Extension Program as a Financial Advisor. 

Early in her life, Irene volunteered her time and talents to serve as a “Gray Lady” of the American Red Cross.  She served as a room mother at her children’s school as well as in the school’s Nursing office.  Additionally, Mrs. Fields proudly served as the Maryland Prince George’s County Representative to the Kennedy Center Decorator’s Show House for the National Symphony Orchestra.  But most of all, she was proud to be a homemaker.  She absolutely loved to cook and bake, and everyone, especially her husband, loved to EAT her cooking and baking.  True to her South Carolina heritage, there was always sweet tea, Pepsi, pie, cake, or a pot of rice ready for anybody that came.  Irene, the consummate hostess, was famous for her ability to put together and serve an entire meal in 15 minutes.  All were welcomed to her kitchen table to eat, drink, and chat.  Charlie grew fig trees and Irene made preserves to share with her friends and neighbors.  It was always a treat to have Mrs. Fields’ buttered biscuits and Fig preserves. 

Irene was an excellent listener and confidant; full of wise advice and a spicy word or two.  She spoke, loved, and gave from her heart; a true Renaissance woman ahead of her time who lived her life by the creed of “Trust, Respect, and Responsibility.”

Irene is predeceased by her parents.  Siblings, Annabelle Miller, William Wright, Joe Leon Wright, and Robert Wright.  And beloved husband COL Charles E. Fields. 

She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Charles E. Fields II, Zulkifl III, Karen E. Fields, Alan E. Fields, and Kirk E. Fields.  Siblings, Rosalin Thompson and Ivy Coleman.  Brother-in-law Julius C. Fields, sisters-in-law Myrna Fields Youmans and Henrietta Fields.  Grandchildren, Lateef Brier, Antilla Zulkifl, April Fields, Janice Fields, Angelique Defilipo, Charles Fields III, Rad Peña, Uriel Peña, Kalyn Zulkifl, and Elena Zulkifl. Great-Grandchildren, Ava Mitchell and Alaina Manning.  A host of loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.  And countless devoted friends.

Mrs. Irene W. Fields will be interred alongside her husband at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, January 14, 2019 at 2 pm. Please arrive 45 minutes prior to the scheduled time.

In lieu of flowers, an expression of sympathy can be made as a contribution to the American Red Cross.

www.redcross.org/donate

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