Dorothy Turner

Mother Dorothy Turner, 92, departed this life Friday March 8, 2019 in Marion County. She was the wife of Herbert Turner Sr., the mother of Lisa Turner and Michael Turner, you may visit the family at 312 West Marion St. Mullins. 

Wake services are scheduled to be held at Jackson & McGill Memorial Chapel, Marion, Thursday March 14, 2019, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

Mt. Moriah Chapter # 11 will be in charge of rites.

Funeral services are scheduled to be held at the Bethel United Methodist Church, Marion, Friday March 15, 2019 at 1:00 pm. She will be laid to rest in the Devotion Gardens Cemetery, Mullins.

~ Obituary ~

      Mrs. Dorothy Turner, daughter of the late Clarence Eugene Pressley and Maude H. Pressley, was born on January 3, 1927 in Abbeville, South Carolina.  God called His beautiful flower to bloom in his eternal garden on Friday, March 8, 2019.  

She completed her secondary education in the public schools of Abbeville, SC. She went on to matriculate Allen University receiving her Bachelor of Science in biology and chemistry with honors. While attending that prestigious institution, she was honored as Miss Allen University. 

She married her beloved, Herbert L. Turner, shortly after graduation and moved to Marion and began a lifelong career of service.  Dorothy taught in Marion School District No. 1 for thirty-three years.  In addition to teaching, Dorothy served as the School Dietitian at Southside Middle School and worked summers at Grice’s Recreation Center during the first half of her career.  Though retired, Dorothy continued to champion child welfare as a Guardian Ad Litem for nineteen years and in the last stage of her life she could be seen sitting on the porch enjoying the sights and sounds of neighborhood children.

This year, Dorothy was recognized as one of twenty-two Diamond (75 years membership) Sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc worldwide. She was a founding member of Omicron Omicron Omega Chapter and served as its Basileus.  She mentored many of the chapter’s leadership and established an after-school learning initiative in the community. She practiced a quiet,  hands on leadership style that inspired all.

Dorothy was a master gardener and her idea of a good book was Parks Seed Catalog and she could be found almost every night on the phone with a gardening book open on her lap while she and the late Mrs Bertha Mason planned their dream gardens. She faithfully kept her beloved Bethel abloom in gorgeous arrangements that she would cut every morning before church and place before anyone arrived for Sunday School.  Her gardens and flowers were bountiful and she always shared with anyone who asked.  

She leaves to cherish precious memories: A husband of 70 years, Herbert LeRoy Turner, Sr., Son, Herbert L. Turner, Jr., (Gloria) who both proceeded her in death, Son, Rev. Michael K. Turner, (Katherine) Anderson, SC, Daughter, Lisa Patrice Turner, Mullins, SC, Grandson, Herbert L. Turner, III, Rockville, MD, Grandson, Dr. Chase S. Turner, (Dr. Ledia W. Turner), Harrisburg, PA.; Granddaughter, Stephanie Turner-Wilson, (Chrishone), Nashville, TN, Granddaughter, Hilary J. Turner, Baltimore, MD, Great-granddaughter, Giselle A. Turner, Harrisburg, PA, Great-grandson, Jayden M. Lamboni, Baltimore, MD, Sister, Gloria P. Stewart, Hampton, VA; and a host of loving nephews and nieces.

 She was preceded in death by Sister Mary Jean Quarles of Buffalo, NY; Brother, Clarence Eugene Pressley, Jr.; Brother John W. Pressley of Abbeville, SC; Brother Wallace Pressley of Abbeville, SC; Sister Betty Pressley of New York, NY.

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