Lynda Fields

Lynda Fields, 79, of Benton, Kentucky, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Lourdes Mercy Health Hospice Center in Paducah, Kentucky.
Lynda was born in Paducah, Kentucky, on September 27, 1945, to the late William Stanford Branton and the late Dorothy Lee Hooper Branton. Many knew Lynda as their bookkeeper, tax consultant, and beloved friend. Upon graduation from high school in May 1963, Lynda was recruited to work at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. for several months. Missing her family, she resigned and left her duties on November 22, 1963, during which the news of John F. Kennedy’s assassination filled the Pentagon hallways. She always felt a sense of being a part of that fateful day, hearing the news at the government offices. Once back in Paducah, she worked for the Schuette & Taylor accounting firm.
She did not have the opportunity to go to college, which she always regretted, but being voted “Most Likely to Succeed” in high school, she took this opportunity to learn many aspects of business. She was blessed with high intelligence and a continuous self-education that she would foster throughout her life.  
 Lynda was introduced to Cecil Fields by her best friend, Jane Newman. While not love at first sight as they used to joke, they quickly fell in love and married on July 31, 1965. They began their life in a house trailer and built their first home on Symsonia Road in Marshall County. Lynda then began working at the Court Clerk’s office. She was a very stylish and sophisticated lady during those pioneering days when most women did not work outside the home. 
Upon the birth of her first child, she began her very successful bookkeeping and tax preparation business. Lynda worked for over a thousand clients in her 55 years of business, seeing many friends at the beginning of their careers, through raising their children, sharing stories of grandchildren, and sometimes helping their families navigate the closure of estates. She shared a love of business with trusted colleagues, Mary McGregor and Don Thomas, among others, whom she taught and advised. She also shared many life experiences, raising children, shopping, camping, and making a lot of memories for over 50 years with her dear friend Jane Roberts, among others who have passed on.  She loved sewing and crafting. She learned to be an expert seamstress from her mother and made most of her and her daughter’s clothing, pageant dresses, and prom dresses.  She was one of the first “pageant moms”. She was a leader, a trusted adviser, a beautiful wife, and mother. Lynda was a member of New Zion Baptist Church and former member of Walnut Street Baptist in Benton, Kentucky.
Lynda is survived by her husband of 60 years, Cecil Fields, who loved her unconditionally for all her days. He believed and lived their vows, caring for her until she passed on and now waits for him in heaven, free from pain and joyful for the life she had; one daughter, Tracey Duncan (Mike) of Gilbertsville, Kentucky; one son, Larry Fields of Paducah, Kentucky; three grandchildren who were the joy of her life, Dr. Mackenzie Brindley (Riley Sigler), Dr. Makayla Walker (Zach), and Kaitlyn Fields. She was so proud of all their accomplishments. They had the best “Granny” that any grandchildren could have. She taught them to swim, bake, to be kind and loving. She was a faithful card giver for every occasion, and they always knew she was thinking of them.
Lynda “Sissy” is also survived by one sister, Donna Branton McAdoo of Taveres, Florida. Donna being only 18 months older, shared all the same childhood memories and love of their parents and families. Growing up she was known as Sissy with her identity being so closely tied to being Donna’s sister.
 She was preceded in death by her infant brother, Lawrence Stanford Branton; and her parents, William and Dorothy Branton, with whom she is rejoicing in heaven today.
Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Life Celebration Center of Filbeck-Cann, 1003 Poplar Street, Benton, KY 42025.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Life Celebration Center of Filbeck-Cann. Dr. Calvin Bryant officiating with burial to follow at Marshall County Memory Gardens in Benton, KY.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.filbeckandcann.com