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A large assembly paid tribute to Terry Fields, celebrating his lifetime of dedication, leadership, and guidance within the Jacksonville community.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A crowd gathered on Friday at Greater Macedonia Baptist Church to commemorate the impactful life and enduring influence of Terry Fields, a former State Representative and member of the Jacksonville City Council.
Fields passed away earlier this month at the age of 66 following a brief illness. His influence was felt from local government offices to the State Capitol, with many affirming that his leadership and mentorship significantly impacted lives throughout Jacksonville.
The service was a heartfelt occasion, featuring music and memories, as friends, former colleagues, and students shared their recollections of a man known by many titles, but whose most cherished role was that of a servant leader.
“Terry had a passion for leadership and enjoyed working with people,” noted Pat Locket-Felder, a former City Council member.
Fields represented District 14 in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008. Before that, he served on the Jacksonville City Council from 1991 to 1999. But beyond politics, many said his heart was always with people. “There’s so much he did for our city and our state,” said honorary City Council member Stephanie Jones, who knew Fields for more than 50 years. Friends said he had a way of pushing people to be their best, sometimes unexpectedly.
“I used to get upset by a couple of things. And he’d say hey, let’s talk. He always brought me from left or right back to the middle,” said Coach Jacobs, an educator who worked alongside Fields and will now take over his mentorship program.
In the classroom at Duval Charter School Westside, Fields made learning come alive. Teaching, Jones said, was “his real true passion.”
He mentored a group of students focused on uplifting young men, something his students said left a lasting impression.
“He’s really the reason why I love history. He was like, funny,” said ninth grader Raeshaun Grayson.
“He was like a drill sergeant, a funny one, really,” added seventh grader Mary Fox.
“He had a personality that like he didn’t care about what other people thought of him. He was more of the one to share his perspective, and he’s not afraid to do so,” said seventh grader Lea Pollydore.
Fields’ mentorship extended far beyond the classroom. Locket-Felder said she’ll miss the early morning calls urging her to get up and get moving.
“I’m gonna miss those calls early in the morning. When he says, get up. I give you 30 minutes to be dressed, and let’s go out to breakfast,” she said.
His dedication to service never seemed to slow down.
“Well, he never stopped working for others. He put himself aside. I oftentimes wonder, did he ever have any personal time, any time for himself?” said crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson, who knew Fields for decades.
Those closest to him said his influence now lives on in the people he taught, guided, and inspired.
“I’m gonna miss Terry,” Locket-Felder said.