Anna Pearl Fields

SALEM – Mrs. Anna Pearl Fields, 74 of Salem and the loving wife of the late Leslie Benton, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at her home.

Born in Brickeys, Arkansas, Anna was one of 13 children born to Charlie and Amelia (Green) Fields. She was raised and educated in Arkansas, moving to Massachusetts as a young woman, meeting her beloved husband, Leslie and together starting their family.

Anna faced the challenges of life with a strength that inspired those around her. After the tragic passing of her husband, she bravely continued to raise her four young children as a single mother. With tenacity and love, Anna dedicated herself to her work as a certified nursing assistant at The Lafayette and Devereux Nursing Homes, often balancing shifts from 7 AM to 3 PM at one facility with a 3 PM to 11 PM shift at the other. Her dedication to her profession was evident in the way she cared for her patients, often brightening their days with her no-nonsense attitude and heartfelt compassion.

Beyond her work, Anna was a woman of deep faith and a cherished member of the First Baptist Church of Saugus community. For over 45 years, she sang in the choir and offered support to those around her, drawing strength from the fellowship that surrounded her. Anna's love for her church provided her with a foundation that enriched her life and the lives of others.

Anna held her family close to her heart, especially her children and her beloved grandchildren. She will be deeply missed for the woman she was and the legacy she leaves behind in all the lives she touched.

Anna Pearl is survived by her children, Terressa Van Alstyne and her husband, Melikke Van Alstyne, Sr. of Salem, Anthony Fields and his wife, Jennifer of Palmer, MA, Monique Fields-Fondjo and her husband, Serge Fondjo, Sr. of Salem and Steven Fields of Salem; her beloved grandchildren, Ti Shayla Van Alstyne, Melikke Van Alstyne, Jr., Tyler Fields, Amelia Fields, Anthony Fields, Jr., Abigal Fields, Avery Fields, Serge Fondjo, Jr., and Sadie Fields; her 2 great-grandchildren, Bryce and Via Van Alstyne; her siblings, Bobbie Cooper, Charlie Fields, Jr., Beverly Fields, Carolyn Fields, Roy Lee Fields and Clementine Johnson and her beloved aunt, Margrette Green. In addition to her beloved husband, Leslie and her parents, Charlie and Amelia, Anna was predeceased by her siblings, Shirley Ann Davis, Hazel Fields, James Melvin Fields, Albert Lorenzo Fields, Phylista Stanley and Johnny Fields.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to Anna's funeral service which will be held at the First Baptist Church, 105 Main St., Saugus on Friday, October 3rd at 11 A.M. with a visiting hour held prior to the service from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. Her burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.