I am often asked about some of my more memorable real estate transactions. After 39 years in the real estate business in Charleston this is absolutely one of them. I had the honor of working with the Fielding family on the sale of the property at 122 Logan which housed the Fielding Home for Funerals for almost 100 years.

Built on Honest, Fair Dealings, and First Class Service to Clientele

Julius P Fielding opened the doors of his funeral home business on the northeast corner of King and Queen in 1912. He then moved the business to 61 Logan on the corner of Short Street to the home of his mother Felicia Fielding Goodwin. Julius continued to run the business and soon married Sadie Gailiard. The two of them lived at the 61 Logan Street location with his mother and continued to run the business. The business grew and in 1928 they acquired 122 Logan Street and relocated. With the help of his wife Sadie and his mother Felicia (we will revisit Felicia another time - her story is wonderful) the business continued to grow. After the death of Julius and Sadie in 1938 a new corporation was formed called Fielding Home for Funerals and Julius' eldest daughter, Emily Felicia Fielding, became the President of the newly formed corporation. The family continued to live on the second and third floor of the main house and the second floor of the dependency for many years. I've heard that's why it's called a funeral "home".

During the early days there was no bridge to some of the local islands so a loved one's body had to be transported by row boat to downtown Charleston to be prepared for burial and returned by boat to the island. Bartering was typical when it came to paying for a family's loved one's funeral. During the depression clients paid with tomatoes, old sewing machines, you name it. The Fielding family truly served the community.

He Profits Most Who Serves Best

Herbert Ulysses Fielding, Julius' son, took over the business in 1952 and in 1970 he entered the world of politics. He was the first African American elected as a democrat to the SC General Assembly. He was elected to the SC State Senate and served from 1985 - 1992. Mrs. Johnson, who has been with the company for 55 years, said that in those days Herbert was in Columbia two or three days a week serving his constituents and back to Charleston serving as funeral home director for the rest of the week. She said over the years numerous local politicians and members of the community frequented 122 Logan asking Herbert's advice. Just think of the conversations that took place there that helped shape the future of Charleston.

Fielding Home for Funerals Celebrated 100 years in 2012

Bernard R. Fielding Sr., Herbert's younger brother, left the south for Boston University to study law in the 1950's. He returned to Charleston working in the legal profession and later assumed the positions of CEO and President of the Fielding Home for Funerals. Bernard was an accomplished attorney and in 1990 he was elected as the first African American to serve as Charleston County Probate Judge.

"Love is progress, hate is expensive." - Esau Jenkins

On April 1, 1960, 24 students from African American Burke High School quietly marched into Kress (five and dime) and staged a peaceful sit-in at the lunch counter. After 5 hours at the counter they were arrested on trespassing charges. Within hours bail was posted by J Arthur Brown, head of the Charleston NAACP. For months prior to the peaceful demonstration these students met at Emanuel AME to plan the non-violent demonstration.

24 Students Participate in the Kress Sit-in

This sit-in sparked the formation on the Charleston Movement. The movement consisted of sit-ins and boycotts of King Street shops that would not hire African American workers. The King Street merchants relented, de-segregating over ninety locations in 1963, and eventually the stores on King Street began to serve all races. Herbert and Bernard became active in the NAACP in 1965.

Herbert founded the Political Action Committee of Charleston. PAC was formed to provide voter education and promote employment of African Americans to voter registration and school trustee boards. Both Herbert and Bernard are considered giants in the Civil Rights Movement in Charleston.

"The Next Chapter

Just last week the property passed into good hands with the Charleston Day School as the new owner. If you live in the neighborhood watch for changes in the coming months and years.

The Fielding Building, Present Day

P.S. I had the pleasure of getting to know Bernard's wife, Raquel Conchita Lawson Fielding, while working on the sale of various properties in the area she owned with her late husband. She shared with me that during the 1960's with so many arrests of the "freedom students" she worked tirelessly typing depositions to help them get out of jail. Mrs. Fielding began her career working for the Anti-Defamation League in Boston while Bernard was in law school. After getting married and moving to Charleston she worked with the US Customs in Charleston for 34 years where she was the first African American woman employed by the U.S. Customs in Charleston. Mrs. Fielding was a true lady and she will be missed by so many. Godspeed Mrs. Fielding and may God bless.

Lois Lane | Broker-in-Charge