One of first black SC House members since Reconstruction dies at 92

One of the first African American representatives elected to the South Carolina House since Reconstruction has died at age 92. He was among three African Americans elected in 1970.

Frederick A. Fielding says his father, Herbert U. Fielding of Charleston, died of natural causes Monday.

The elder Fielding was elected to the House in 1970 and would later serve in the state Senate during the 1980s and 1990s. He made an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1992.

He helped operate Fielding Home for Funerals, one of the largest black-owned funeral home in the state, and was active in political and civic activities.

His son said Fielding’s most cherished honor was the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian award.

Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr., told The (Charleston) Post and Courier www.postandcourier.com that Fielding was a gentle man dedicated to advancing civil rights.

Associated Press

(Note from editor: Some details in this posting were changed on August 12, 2015 to correct some details)

This story was originally published August 11, 2015 at 3:16 PM.