Dee Fields Pritchett - 1951-2023 - Obituary

July 21, 1951 - October 7, 2023

Executive Director Pam Bratcher and the Martin Housing Authority (MHA) Board of Commissioners wish to express their sympathy to the family of Mrs. Dee Fields Pritchett, long term MHA Commissioner serving in 2023 as Vice Chairman.

Mrs. Dee Fields Pritchett, age 72, of Martin died Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Jackson Madison County Hospital.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life was be held Thursday, October 19, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church in Martin with Pastor Amanda Crice officiating. Friends were invited to stay after the service for a visitation at the church.

Dee spent her life as a community leader and strong businesswoman in her community. She was managing broker for Fuller Partners Real Estate in Martin and Union City. For many homeowners who live in Weakley and Obion counties, Dee was one of the first people newcomers met. She had a way of describing Martin and Weakley County as the greatest places to be in the world.

Dee was a 1973 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin. She was more than just an alumna to the university. She was considered by campus leaders as one of the greatest friends to UT Martin and UTM Athletics. She was a UTM donor for 43 consecutive years. She also established endowment scholarships in four of the school's colleges - College of Education, College of Business, College of Fine Arts and College of Athletics.

She promoted UTM Athletics as a faithful supporter, encouraging others to attend games, always having a seat herself on the sidelines at games. Dee was also past president of the Skyhawk Club. In 2007, she was chosen for the UTM Chancellor's Award for University Service. Dee was a sister in the Alpha Delta Pi sorority and served as an advisor to the PanHellenic group, mentoring thousands of women through the years.

She had a constant presence at ribbon cuttings and grand openings of local businesses over the years. She believed in shopping local and re-investing into the community. Not only did she financially support local brick-and-mortars; she was generous with her time, touting Weakley County as a great place to be. She served on the Weakley County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, as well as both the Martin and Weakley County Economic Development boards.

Dee was one to express her opinion and community leaders sought her counsel on various subjects. She spent time on the Martin Parks and Recreation Commission. She also served on the C.E. Weldon Public Library board.

She was an educator at Bradford High School in Bradford, Tennessee. Dee is one of the few women who held a seat on the Weakley County School Board. Dee was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She served as past chairman of both the trustees and finance committees of the church.

She was born July 21, 1951, to the late Charles Fields and Cordelia Brann Fields. She is survived by her daughter, Brittan (Aaron) Knott and two grandsons, Charlie Sutherland and Preston Knott, all of Martin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mac Pritchett, who was a graduate of UT Knoxville.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be sent to the First United Methodist Church in Martin or to one of the named endowments established by Dee at UT Martin. Gifts can be made at https://give.utm.edu/deepritchett or you may mail a check to UT Foundation, 424 Andy Holt Humanities Bldg., 209 Hurt Street, Martin, TN 38238. For more information, please call 731.881.7628.