Virginia Ellen Fields, 82, of Milan, Missouri, passed away on Friday, November 5, 2021, at her home surrounded by family.
Virginia was born October 22, 1939, in the family home south of Reger, to Thomas George and Lorene Rebecca (Stephenson) Ford. On July 30, 1960, she married John Robert Fields, in Perryville, MO, to this union four children were born. Virginia lived her entire life south of Reger, on the family farm. Family was her number one priority and she showed extreme pride in her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Survivors include 3 daughters; Julie and Wes Taylor of Milan, Johnna and Mike Brinkley of Smithville, Missouri, and Jennifer and Rick Richardson of Milan, one son, Joel Fields, of Milan and special friend Regina Clark of Marceline. 15 grandchildren; Chris (Charity) Taylor, Nick (Ashlee) Taylor, Matthew (Carrie) Taylor, Jessica (Robert) Vierhout, Danielle (Jason) Lutz, Beau (Kayla) Brinkley, Micheala ( K.C.) Moorman, Bryce Richardson, Aaron Richardson and Lexie Whetstine, Jake Oder, Maci Hullinger, Cole Hullinger, Garret Hullinger, Jason and Grace Clark, and Danielle Clark, 16 great grandchildren; Tori Taylor, Cooper Taylor, Lancey Taylor, Maelyn Taylor, Everley Taylor, Carter Taylor, Chloe Taylor, Clare Taylor, Taylor Lutz, Austin Lutz, Jax Brinkley, Amelia Moorman, Kase Stout, Quinley Stout, Everleigh Purvis, and Grayson Clark. Other survivors include one brother, Junior and Janet Ford of Milan, Sister in law; Charlotte Ford of Pontiac, Illinois, Brother in law; Charles and Helen Fields of Brookfield, Missouri, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Virginia was preceded in death by; her parents, Tom and Lorene Ford, husband, John Robert Fields, two sisters; Edith Hensley and Molly Ann Ford, two brothers; Monte Ford and Jim Ford, and nephew John William Fields.
Virginia, often referred to as Granny by her grandchildren, was a lifelong resident of the Sullivan County area. She graduated from Milan C-2 High School in 1957, before receiving her teaching degree from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in Kirksville, Missouri, in 1971. Virginia began teaching at the age of 21 with a 2 year certificate and later returned to school and earned her BSE degree, retiring after 36 years. Her first job was teaching 4th grade in Humphreys, where she taught for 13 years, and finished her 24 years at Milan C-II, touching and influencing many young lives
Virginia was a member of the Reger Methodist Church. She was very avid in fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and coordinated many bike -a thons. She loved all sports and enjoyed playing basketball, softball and in her early years playing cards with friends and water skiing. Her favorite competitive sport was bowling, where she was a member of several bowling teams and leagues, with many high scores, one of which landed her first team All American Bowling honors with a scratch series of 2379, in December of 1984. Her joy was to attend all her children and grandchildren’s sporting events, as well as watching and listening to the Missouri Tigers, the KC Chiefs and St Louis Cardinals Baseball. Cooking for her family was her passion. She made her favorite dishes with love for her friends and family. Virginia had an obvious green thumb in the meticulous way in which she cared for her beautiful lawn, garden, indoor plants and flowers. Her home was especially unique, displaying many family heirlooms and family pictures throughout each room.
Funeral Services for Virginia will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, November 8, 2021, at Schoene-Ruschmeier Funeral Home in Milan, Missouri. Burial will follow at Schrock Cemetery south of Reger, Missouri. A celebration of life will be held from 6-8 PM, Sunday, November 7, 2021, at the funeral home.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Schrock Cemetery.