Mignon Mildred Fields-Harper

Mignon Mildred Fields-Harper departed this life on Wednesday, June 17, 2020.  Migno was the first granddaughter of Willis and Eugenia Wyatt, and the eldest child of Mildred Josephine Wyatt Groce and Ellsworth Rodman Groce -- all of whom preceded her in passing.  Mignon was the eldest among her eight siblings: three brothers: Ellsworth (deceased), Victor (deceased) and Charles; and five sisters: Marita (deceased), Wanda, Melvina, Lois and Janice (deceased).  Born on August 27, 1925 at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, Mignon attended Public School 3 and graduated from Girls High School.

Mignon was a beacon of light; she bought joy and happiness to everyone she touched.  As a young adult, she realized she would be a selfless servant putting God first, family and community in her every endeavor.  For employment, she loved working with children, so she volunteered with many community-based jobs -- School Crossing Guard, School Bus Matron, Nurse’s Aide and Housekeeper.  As a community liaison and leader, Mignon was a Cub Scout Den Mother, Captain of The Marlboro Houses Tenant Patrol and Grand Elder Mother at The Linden Plaza Self Defense Academy Warriors.  Even when Mignon could no longer do volunteer work, she still managed to find a way to pay it forward and give back by being charitable.

She received 100 certificates of appreciation and acknowledgments from places such as: Project Hope, Paralyzed Veterans of the World, Mayo Clinic Cancer Drive, American Heart Association, American Indian Relief Council, support certificates from the U.S. Olympic Committee, St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer Center and six International Children that needed help.  She also received the Mother Hale Award and the Prestigious Icon Award from the L.P.S.D.A.W.

Mignon married Harry Henry Fields in early 1940, and they began their family in 1942 with the birth of their first son, Harry Henry Fields, Jr.  This union would produce three more children: Robert Ellsworth, William Thomas and Marilyn Mignon.  Eleven years later, Mignon gave birth to three more children, Deirdre Camille, Kim Denise and Tracy Lawrence.  In 1967, Mignon married her second husband Louis Calvin Harper (deceased).  Mignon was a firm believer in the power of prayer.  She often talked about her early years, going to Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, riding the bus to meet her "Papa’ (grandfather), Willis Benoit Wyatt, founder of and pastor of the church.

She was a longstanding member there of the Gospel Chorus.  In 1992, she began attending St. Paul Community Baptist Church where her daughter, Kim and son, Robert attended.  Later, she followed Bishop Johnny Ray Youngblood to Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church.

Mignon wore many hats, and was affectionately called by many names including: Mommy, MeMa, Grams, Grandma, Granny, Mom, Ma, Mother Fields, Mother Harper, Miss Mignon, Second and Other Mother, Queenie, Queen, NaNa, Queen Mother, MaMo, and Ol’ Lady … to name a few. She loved being a lady, always keeping her hair and nails done with her favorite red polish.  Her pastimes were church, traveling, the dojo, singing, dancing, word search puzzles, crocheting, changing her room around, beautifying her immaculate home and most of all hanging out with her family.

As the devoted family Matriarch and community servant, Mignon leaves her legacy to be passed down to her six loving children: Harry, William (Mary), Marilyn, Deirdre (Theodore), Kim and Tracy; over ninety grands, great- and great-great-grands, her siblings: Charles Groce, Wanda Kenton, Melvina Perrin and Lois Jones; and a host of nieces, nephews, community daughters and sons and friends                                     

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