Deacon Wilbert Hartfields

Deacon Wilbert Hartfields, Jr. was born on February 07, 1939, to the late Wilbert Hartfields, Sr. and Mary Morrison Hartfields in Ogden, Arkansas. In his youth, Deacon Hartfields was a well-known athlete who played football for the Washington High School Lions.

After graduating in 1956, he moved to St. Louis, MO for two years and later enlisted in the United States Navy in 1958. His military duties enabled him to learn new skills, travel the world, and impact all he encountered. Deacon Hartfields enjoyed a decorated 20-year career that included several tours during the Vietnam War and reaching the rank of First-Class Petty Officer. While serving he settled in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In 1979, he retired from the U.S. Navy and began a new life that eventually led him to St. Stephens Church of God in Christ. Deacon Wilbert Hartfields joined St. Stephens COGIC in 1992 under the leadership of the late Bishop Ted Thomas Sr. He continued serving under the current Pastor, Administrative Assistant Bruce E. Hughes Sr.'s leadership, where he was a dedicated member who served on the Deacon Board, sang in the Male Chorus, and was a Teacher for the Sunday School Department. His favorite scripture, Psalms 23, was near and dear to his heart, and he could be heard often reciting it.

Deacon Hartfields was an avid sports fan who loved the Pittsburgh Steelers. His love for God, family, and devotion to servitude was unquestionable. He was also passionate about feeding and helping others every Wednesday and Friday at the Open-Door Ministries in Virginia Beach. Deacon Hartfields practiced Matthew 25:35 (For I was hungry, and ye gave me meat), as he and his brother-in-law, Elder Fredrick Fenner, would pick up food from local stores, drop it off at the food bank, organize the shelves, and distribute it to hundreds of people weekly.

Deacon Hartfields was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbert Sr., and Mary Morrison Hartfields; one brother, Nathaniel Jones; two sisters, Esther Robinson, and Cleophus Johnson; daughter Freda S. Harrington; son Raymond Winder; and special friend Deacon Edward Knight.

Deacon Hartfields legacy lives on through his wife of 12 years, Verna Hartfields; beloved children, Felita Hartfields of Norfolk, VA; Marlon Hartfields of New York, NY; Kenneth Samuel of Jacksonville, FL; Marcus Shaw of Maryland; Martina Shaw of New York, NY; Mario Shaw of West Virginia; brother, Norris Hartfields (Holly) of Texarkana, Arkansas; mother-in-law, Alice Fenner (late Minister Melvin Fenner Sr.); brothers-in-laws, Melvin Fenner Jr., Fredrick Fenner of Virginia Beach, VA; sister’s-in-law Martha Turner (late Deacon Vernon Turner) of Virginia Beach, VA; Melvadean James of Elizabeth City, NC; Caleta Rose (Elder Roderick Rose) of Chesapeake, VA; bonus children Reuben Fenner, Lasalle Williams, Antwan Williams all of Virginia Beach, VA, Arnold Williams (Rashida) of Tallahassee, FL; three special nephews, Darrell Robinson of Houston, TX, Vincent Robinson of Lawrenceville, IL, Jay Robinson of Washington, IN; two adopted sons, Elder Roderick Rose of Chesapeake, VA, Elder Delvery Davis of Virginia Beach, VA; a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He also leaves behind an extended family: the Winder, Shaw, and Burden Families