Hazel Shields

Hazel Parrott Shields, died Thursday, February 19, 2015. She is survived by her husband of 74 years, Pleasant Coleman Shields. Born in Danville, Va. March 14, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Clifton J. and Mamie Elizabeth Murphy Parrott. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters, Eunice Parrott Poteat and Thelma Parrott Harrison; a brother, C. Bascom Parrott; a nephew, Kennon Poteat Jr.; and a niece, Diane Faust Harrison.In addition to her husband, she is survived by nieces, Faye Poteat of Danville, Va., and Dr. Bettie Anne Davis Fisher and her husband, Dr. Matt Fisher, of Greensburg, Pa.; a great niece, Carrie Lawrence of Winston Salem, N.C.; a great nephew, Kennon Poteat III and his wife, Julie Wilson, of Washington, D.C.; and other nieces and nephews.She was christened in Shelton Memorial Presbyterian Church in Danville and after marriage, she became a member of the Methodist Church with her husband. She was educated in the public schools of Danville and Averett College in Danville. After her education, she was employed at Dan River Mills and the Virginia State Employment Service. She traveled extensively, as her husband was stationed in Georgia, Kentucky, California, New York and Pennsylvania. While her husband was stationed at Fort Drum in New York, after taking a course with the Red Cross as a Nurse's Aide, she served as a volunteer aide at the hospital in Watertown, N.Y. While in California, she served as an airplane spotter for the Army in addition to collecting food for the military. While in Pennsylvania, she worked at the Hershey Chocolate Company. Later, after her husband was deployed overseas, she lived with an Aunt and Uncle in Portsmouth, Va. and was employed at the Norfolk Naval Base in the Dispersing Department reviewing government contracts for the Navy. After the war, she returned to Danville where she was employed by the Virginia State Employment Office. Mrs. Shields came to Richmond in 1948 when her husband was transferred to the Central Office of the Virginia Parole Board. She then was employed in the State Treasurer's Office for a number of years, later working as a secretary for Boulevard Methodist Church from which she retired to become a homemaker. Active in the church, Sunday school and UMW, she and a class friend visited the sick and shut-in members of the church for 40 plus years. She was very active in the UMW, having been a circle leader for some 25 years. Mrs. Shields also served as President of the Fidelity Class. She, with her husband, transferred to Reveille United Methodist Church in 1999. Mrs. Shields was a member of the Glen Burnie Garden Club, Virginia Historical Society and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.A funeral service will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, February 22, 2015 at the Central Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Ave. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.On Monday, February 23, 2015 the family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until 12 noon at the Townes Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Danville, Va. A private graveside service will follow in Highland Burial Park, Danville.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Samaritan Fund or the Employee Fund at The Hermitage, 1600 Westwood Ave., Richmond, VA 23227, where she and her husband received tender, loving care and support in the sunset of life since 2004. God must have needed another angel.