Mrs. Portia Fields-Anderson was a beloved trailblazer, mentor, and lifelong public servant whose impact on the City of Pontiac is both timeless and immeasurable. As the former Director of Parks and Recreation, she dedicated her life to uplifting youth, strengthening families, and building lasting community programs that empowered generations.

Her journey with the City began long before her title. She mentored countless young people—including a then 15-year-old Troy F. Craft, to whom she gave his very first job at the Hayes Jones Community Center. That act of belief would spark a lifelong bond that continued until her peaceful passing. For Troy and many others, she became a godmother in spirit and a role model in service.

Mrs. Portia was a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and carried herself with elegance, integrity, and an unshakable commitment to doing things right. Her standards were high, her heart was wide, and her favorite mantra—“Let’s do it the Portia way”—was both a challenge and a legacy. Today, that phrase lives on in the mission of the Craft Tee Kidz Summer Hangout and countless other community efforts that honor her memory.

She will always be remembered as a woman of vision, strength, and love. Pontiac was her home, and its people were her family. We are better because she lived.