Gladys Fields Bennett

Gladys Fields Bennett, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt, passed from this life on August 18, 2015, at Stella Manor in Russellville, Arkansas, to be with her heavenly father and loved ones who have gone on before. She was born February 16, 1918, in Russellville, daughter of the late Enoch and Cora Davis Wade. She was a life-long member of the Church of Christ. Married at 16 and a mother at 17, she kept house, cooked and canned, taught herself to sew and make her own patterns. While raising three children, she held summer jobs outside the home at the Atkins Pickle Co. and the Levi Strauss Co. among others. She loved music and played the guitar, fiddle, piano, and organ by ear. She enjoyed gardening, playing games – especially cards, and crocheting. Widowed at 36, she shouldered the duties of running the family farm with the help of her son. She later re-married and was once again widowed. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, John L. Fields; second husband, Earl Bennett; 4 brothers, Homer, Abe, Carl, and Emmett Wade; and 2 sisters, Mabel Wade Kimberlin and Effie Wade Miller. Surviving family members are her brother, Duard Wade; son, Johnny C. Fields and wife Annette; 2 daughters, Marilyn Huffman and Jeanette and husband John Steinberger; grandchildren, Leslie Huffman, Wade Huffman and wife Denae, John Steinberger and wife Amy, Michelle Steinberger, Debbie Fields, Cindy and husband Jorge Minguez, and John Fields and wife Donna; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services are 10:00 AM, Saturday, August 22, at the Atkins Church of Christ with Neal Chism and John Mark Fields officiating. Burial is in Atkins City Cemetery under the direction of Lemley Funeral Service of Atkins. Visitation is from 6:00-7:30 PM, Friday, at Lemley Chapel. Pallbearers are David Potts, Ron Watkins, Raymond Staggs, Mickey Evans, John Minguez and Jorge Minguez. Online obituary and condolences are available at www.lemleyfuneral.com.