James A. Fields, 82 years old of Chilhowie, Virginia, passed away on May 26, 2023 after a courageous fight with cancer. Jim, or Papaw Jim, as he was known, was born to Curtis and Alta Fields on June 22, 1940, and lived in Lebanon, Virginia most of his life. He graduated from Lebanon High School in 1960 and went to work for the Pittston Coal Company, where he was a member of the UMWA. He retired in 2003. During this time, he also worked for Russell County Schools driving a bus for seven years.

Throughout his life he enjoyed working with the Jaycees, singing bass with the Joyful Sound Quartet, and working with the bus outreach program for Lebanon Baptist Church. He also worked and showed horses in Virginia, Tennessee and other southern states and was a member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association and The Racking Horse Breeders Association of America. He later worked for the government where he served at horse shows as DQP, checking horses before and after they showed, to identify signs of animal cruelty.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and wife Nancy of 22 years, and is survived by his three children – Beverly Simmons and husband Mike of Midlothian, Texas; Cathy Surber and husband Kevin of Manassas, Virginia; and Jason Fields and wife Lori of Waxahachie, Texas, along with nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three step-children – Lisa, Scotty, David, and grandson, Will Price. The family is grateful and indebted to our cousin Judy Cooling and husband Charlie, for all the love and care they have shown to our dad through these last difficult months, and their friendship throughout the years.

Visitation will be held in Lebanon, Virginia at the Lebanon Baptist Church on Thursday morning, June 8, 2023, at 10:00 am, with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 am. Entombment will take place at Ketron Memorial Gardens at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Cancer society in his name.
Pallbearers - Rick Harvey, John Arrington, Phillip Lowe, Cole Surber, Will Price, Rocky Barton, James Fields
Honorary Pallbearers - Charlie Cooling, Donnie Poe, Marcus Simmons, Kevin Surber, Dave Robinson and Dallas Harvey.

Online condolences may be sent to www.haysifuneral.com. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.