Obituary: Shirley Ann Fields

Shirley Ann Fields passed from this life to her heavenly home on Dec. 12, 2023 at the age of 87. Funeral services will be held at Trinity Church in Portales at 10:00 AM, Mon., Dec. 18, 2023 with Rev. Darla Fields officiating, assisted by Pastor Kelly Fulfer. Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with Randy McBroom, Todd McBroom, David Sweet, Dustin Caroland, Curtis Raymond, Jamison Bisch, Chris Wood and Jonathan Sweet serving as pallbearers. Andy Sweet and Rickie McBroom have been named as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive guests at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon from 4 to 6 PM.

Shirley was born April 22, 1936, in her grandmother's house in Woods County, Oklahoma, to Ralph and Esta Arndt. Shirley grew up on a farm with her two brothers, Wilbert Paul and Leon. She always loved basketball and volleyball and was a great player on the teams in Farry, Oklahoma, where she attended school and graduated in 1955.

Shirley was living in Alva, Oklahoma, after high school graduation when she met the young man who would become her husband. Glen had come to Alva to attend college, and the two were married there on March 17, 1956. After a short time in Kansas, they moved to Portales, New Mexico, where they lived and raised their family. Shirley was a Missionettes leader and Sunday School teacher in the Assembly of God. A variety of jobs always kept her busy. She was a babysitter for countless children, worked in the meat market at Parkway Supermarket, was a secretary for the Portales schools, and eventually became the librarian at Steiner Elementary, which was her favorite of all.

Through the years her love of sports was always part of her life as she watched her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Shirley could always be seen in the bleachers of gyms and ballfields cheering them on. She was an amazing cook and loved spending time in her kitchen making meals for her large family. Fried chicken and enchiladas were favorites, but her red velvet cakes were legendary.

Shirley's prayers to move back into her home were answered in October. Through tender love and care she and Glen were able to attend ballgames, a play, family gatherings and church services together in her final weeks. She was at her home surrounded by loved ones when she passed.

Shirley and Glen had 5 children, 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Her children are Diana (Andy) Sweet, Donna (Rickie) McBroom, Darla Fields, Gary (Sandy) Fields, and Karla (Chris) Wood. Grandchildren Jon Sweet (Oli), Tarrah Bisch (Jamison) and David Sweet (Nallely), Randy McBroom (Ashley), Denae Raymond (Curtis) and Todd McBroom (Katelyn), Jalane Caroland and Dustin Caroland (Kelsey). Great-Grandchildren Mataio, Ezra, Simeon, Nehemiah and Thomas, Raley, Jaymie, Ricky and Daniel, Logan, Lacy and Brixley.