By: Ali ElizabethTurner
Doris Fielding was born at home on Cotton Belt Road on June 16, 1931. Her daddy farmed and it’s easy to tell that chopping cotton is not something that she misses at the ripe old age of 87! She went to West Limestone High School and graduated in 1949. One year later she married the love of her life, John Robert Fielding Jr. They were introduced to each other by a relative, and were married for 64 years. Together they built a thriving Harley-Davidson business, and raised two boys. She told me that when Johnny was on the road for business, he would call home every night. “We weren’t rich, but we had enough,” she said. They loved to travel as a family and would take a road trip every year. Doris especially loved Mexico. She also loved being on the back of a Harley, and showed me a model of a Harley proudly displayed in her room. Within three years, beginning in 2014, Doris tragically and suddenly lost her husband and two sons to heart attacks, and the shock has been tremendous. She has been very thankful for the support she has received, and her faith is what has pulled her through.
As a family, the Fieldings fellowshipped at Market Street Church of Christ, then Salem Church of Christ. They were very active in both churches. For awhile Doris attended Athens State University back when it was Athens College. Miss Doris is quite well known for her cooking, and has even won cooking awards; so it stands to reason that “favorite foods” were near the top of this Spotlight column’s usual list.
Favorite color? Green.
Favorite food to cook? Chicken. Her Chicken Crunch Casserole is one of her dishes that is award-winning, and will be featured at the end of this article.
Favorite food to eat? Potato salad.
Favorite scripture? Psalm 23.
Favorite hymn? “Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross.”
Favorite book? Gone With The Wind.
Favorite movie? Gone With The Wind.
Favorite actor? Clark Gable.
Favorite actress? Maureen O’Hara.
Favorite entertainer? Elvis Presley.
Favorite President? JFK. “Losing him was like losing a member of the family. He was such a family man; that’s why I admired him.”
Biggest change? “Losing my family.” She is also sad to see how the American family has fallen apart.
Doris says that her time at Limestone Health “could not have been better. It’s clean, the conditions are great, and they treat you like family.” She especially loves the free music concerts, and enjoyed making ice cream during one of the planned activities.
Best advice to young people? “Do unto others what you would have them do unto you. The Golden Rule.” Always excellent advice, from the lips and heart of a woman who knows she is highly blessed.
We have included Doris Fielding’s award-winning Chicken Crunch Casserole, courtesy of the Athens News Courier.
Chicken Crunch Casserole
¼ cup chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cups diced cooked chicken
2 hard boiled eggs, diced
2 tbsp. chopped onion
½ cup chopped celery
½ can chow mien noodles
½ can water chestnuts, chopped
¼ cup toasted sliced almonds
Mix all ingredients except almonds. Spoon into a baking dish that has been lightly oiled. Bake 30 minutes at 325 F. Remove from oven and sprinkle with almonds.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
