Monrovia Resident LOTTIE C. FIELDS 1925 – 2010
By Terry Miller
Published: Friday, July 23rd, 2010
Lottie Charbonnet Balugo Fields, best known as LOTTIE C. FIELDS died Saturday July 17, 2010 in Pasadena, California at Huntington Memorial Hospital. She was 84.
In addition to many friends, Lottie is survived by loving family members including her two daughters, Janelle Jones of Los Angeles, and Victoria Jones of Oakland, California. Lottie will be missed by her grandchildren, Danyel Smith Wilson of New York City, Raquel Smith Williams of Los Angeles, Brandon Wells Jones of Los Angeles, and Damaris Ann Ranjitham Dickens of Sheffield Lake, Ohio. Reginald Othello Jones and Calvin Synigal will miss their feisty mother-in-law. Elliott Jesse Wilson Jr. will miss the lady he knew as “Gramma.” Lottie was a loving great-grandmother to Raquel’s children, Parker Drew Williams and Hunter Colin Williams, as well as to Damaris’ Abril Lakia Tea Mills, Jerres Annie Louise Dickens, and Anthony Lamont Curry Jr.
Lottie will be missed by her niece Gail Brooms Clifton of Richmond, California, as well as by her grandnieces Khalief Sat-Aba Brooms Dantzler, Amorette Schiarada Brooms, and Marjorie Brooms Kinney—all of Los Angeles. Lottie was loved dearly by Khalief’s children—great-grandnieces Maia Pauline Askew and Zoe Isabella Dantzler, as well as great-grandnephew Zaire Amal-Hasaan Dantzler.
Lottie’s passing is a great loss to her sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Reid-Soskin of Berkeley, California. Lottie will be missed by Betty’s children, nephews Robert Thomas Reid and David Allen Reid, and her niece Dorian Leon Reid. Lottie leaves behind grandnieces Kokee Amanda Reid, Alyana Reid, Tamaya Reid and Rosie Reid Funk, as well as grandnephew Rhico Reid.
Born November 12, 1925 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Lottie Allen Charbonnet and Dorson Louis Charbonnet, Little Lottie moved to Oakland with her family, eventually going on to work at the Naval Supply Center in Alameda, California. Lottie was devastated by the death of her husband, US Army Corporal Eugene Leocadio Balugo in 1951, as well as by the death of her oldest sister, Marjorie Charbonnet Brooms in 1962.
Lottie worked as a bookkeeper, a career at which she excelled. She was married for happy years to Melvin “Buddy” Fields, and lived in a white brick house in the Miracle Mile district of Los Angeles. At the time of her death, Lottie was living in Monrovia, California. She was a superstar in her senior citizen group there, winning an award in 2008 for Volunteer Of The Year.
Lottie was a gifted seamstress—made beautiful clothes for herself, her children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren—and always kept a pristine sewing room. Lottie was noted for her sense of style, and her love of music—mostly jazz and the blues. Lottie loved her canine kids as well. From the shih tzu Tuxedo, to her current chihuahua, Blossom, Lottie always had a special companion. Until her death Lottie remained abreast of the club of her youth, an Oakland group called The Women. She adored dancing, socializing, and having a grand time.
Lottie C. Fields was warm, snappy, and a joy to be around, but she did not suffer fools or foolishness. She was the kind of woman who would coach her daughter in a successful quest for a beauty contest crown, and would make a granddaughter’s prom dress by hand. Lottie showed up—early—to graduation days and weddings and picnics and birthday parties. Lottie made curtains for her daughter’s preschool. Lottie stepped out in high heels—even in her eighties.
Lottie lived her life her way. She will be missed.
4 Responses for “Monrovia Resident LOTTIE C. FIELDS 1925 – 2010”
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Dear Family,
Eric and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Aunt Lottie. I have such vivid childhood memories of her, what a cool Lady! I always thought that my mom wanted to be just like her “Aunt Lottie” in her cool frisky style, seamstress ability and absolute savvy. Aunt Lottie’s laughter could spread JOY through a crowded room! If one ever was fortunate enough to meet her just once, that encounter would be remembered for life! The world will miss Aunt Lottie. Love, Nicole’ & Eric
This quote so reminds me of Aunt Lottie…
Beauty Tips…
For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others
Written By: Audrey Hepburn, when asked to share her “beauty tips”
God bless the family during this time. Victoria and Brandon have been in my life for many years, and they are examples of the love that Mrs. Fields shared. I am blessed to have been touched by her life. Lots of love and prayers. Take care. Brian.
Victoria and all, In the week since your mother died, I have come to feel that I as well as all of you have lost a family member. The description of her life and personality make me regret that I never met Lottie even once. The word, “feisty,” caught my eye, and the portrait photo tells me that Lottie had much to contribute and to share and would do it with energy. If you will let me know when her service is to be held, I will be sure to be with you in spirit right at that time. It is seven years since our families found each other, and I wish that the family circle could have remained intact much longer.
With love and prayers, Jane Mills Morrison
Dear Family,
Eric and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Aunt Lottie. I have such vivid childhood memories of her, what a cool Lady! I always thought that my mom wanted to be just like her “Aunt Lottie” in her cool frisky style, seamstress ability and absolute savvy. Aunt Lottie’s laughter could spread JOY through a crowded room! If one ever was fortunate enough to meet her just once, that encounter would be remembered for life! The world will miss Aunt Lottie. Love, Nicole’ & Eric
This quote so reminds me of Aunt Lottie…
Beauty Tips…
For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others
Written By: Audrey Hepburn, when asked to share her “beauty tips”