Joanne Charlene Fields was born on March 24, 1939, to the late Thomas and Christine Fields. She attended Bryant Elementary School and graduated from West High School. Even though she was an only child, she had a special, loving, caring cousin (also an only child), Mrs. Janice Fields from Detroit, Michigan. Joanne had many childhood friends which she spent a considerable amount of time. These childhood friends are Bern and Gwen from Fayetteville, North Carolina, Sam and Betty Gordon of Copley Township, Ohio, and Henry and Ruby Chaney of Akron, Ohio. In 1955, she met a handsome Alabama boy fresh out of the army. She fell in love and got married on November 5, 1955. During this union, twins were born – Keith and Karen Brown. Unfortunately, God came and took them home to be with him at birth.
She accepted Christ at an early age. She joined Mount Zion Baptist Church and was very active in the choir, youth ministry, and Bible study. In her later years, she joined the Prince of Peace Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Robert Golson. In her spare time, she was also a member of the CarLee Cooper Singers.
She was employed with Barberton Citizens Hospital and retired after 35 years of service with respect and admiration from all our peers. Joanne also had hobbies she loved that included gardening, going on bus trips, and shopping. She also loved catering with her business partner and best friend, Mrs. Ethel Townsend. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her grandchildren and going on trips with her husband and son.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, James T. Brown; parents, Thomas and Christine Fields, and James and Ida Dean Smith, a set of twins, Keith and Karen Brown; auntie, Juanita Woodley, of Chicago, Illinois.
She is survived by her parents, Janice Fields and Gregory Fields; daughter, Wanda Woods; son, James C. Brown, 5 grandchildren, Tonyia (Antonnio) Benton, Cachet Brown, Jovan Brown, Tatianna Brown, and Janice Brown; great-grandchildren, Christian Benton, Andre, Kyaire, Dyaire, Neveah Isaiah, Javion Brown, and Kyrien Brown; Jessie Cannon Tucker, a trusted friend and guardian, and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.