Retired educator succumbs to injuries after accident

EDENTON — A Perquimans County teacher and administrator has died following an accident last month.

Melissa Pullin Fields, 53, died Sunday at East Carolina University Health Medical Center in Greenville. She was critically injured in an accident in Chowan County Saturday evening, Aug. 24.

During the past week, people signed “get well” cards and wrote their thoughts and prayers inside a large book at Edenton Bay Trading Company where Fields and her husband Eddie hosted Vinyl Night on the weekends.

Fields began her career as a teacher and later became a principal at Perquimans Central and Perquimans High schools. She later served as an administrator for the school district.

“The rewards in teaching are in every smiling face of every child I teach," Fields said when she was a teacher at Perquimans Central School. "It is when a former student comes to ask for advice on a problem or when a parent tells you what a difference you've made. Teachers are not in it for the money or praise. The rewards in teaching are the futures of our children.”

Fields spent 12 years as media coordinator at Perquimans Central and 4½ years as principal.

“I’ve always believed that parents are the first teachers for their children, and I value the input that parents are willing to give about their own children,” Fields said when she was a first-time principal at Perquimans Central in 2011. “Forming personal relationships, sharing ideas and goals, and deciding how we can work together for the success of all students at Perquimans Central School are some of my goals as I begin my first full year here.”

Fields was named the 2019 Wells Fargo Northeast Region Principal of the Year. That year, she stepped down as principal at Perquimans County High School to serve as chief academic officer for curriculum and instruction.

Fields earned a school administration add-on credential from Elizabeth City State University, a certificate of advanced study and a master’s degree in library science from East Carolina University, and a bachelor's degree in psychology and elementary education from Mary Washington College.

Ten years ago, Fields and her husband started Vinyl Night at Edenton Bay Trading Company in Edenton. The couple played records from various genres that resonate with listeners.

“It's just a special place because it doesn't matter what age you are or where you are from. Music brings everyone together," Fields said at the time. "The relationships that we have with people here are really special — you can't describe it.”

Funeral arrangements for Fields are pending. Visitation will be Tuesday between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the residence of Steve and Sheila Perry Evans at 117 Whites Landing Road Edenton and Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Edenton Bay Trading Company.