Pastor Robert Lee Turner ’44

Pastor Robert Lee Turner ’44 passed away Mar. 26 in Eden, N.C. Mr. Turner was born Dec. 29, 1919, in Leaksville, N.C., (now Eden) to the late John Tyler and Lillie Ann Martin Turner. He was a graduate of Leaksville High School, of Davidson College, and of Union Theological Seminary (1947) in Richmond, Va., where he earned his Bachelor’s of Divinity degree. Pastor Turner began his 60 years of service to his Lord during his fieldwork while in seminary, which included 17th Street Mission, Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, Neuse Forest, First Presbyterian Church (New Bern, N.C.), and the William Byrd Community House. After graduation from seminary he served in 12 churches, four of those he served twice, in the next 35 years. After his retirement he pastored five additional churches. Pastor Turner served as chaplain to the Loris Marching Lions in Loris, S.C., and for the Civil Air Patrol in Fayetteville. During Mr. Turner’s lengthy ministry he was honored to have performed 583 marriages. In the Rockingham County area he ministered to those attending the local nutrition sites and performed his “Hat Man” presentation. He was known as the “Fix-it Man” for anyone in need throughout his life, always seeming to come through with whatever was needed at just the right time. Surviving are his children, Tyler Trogdon Turner (Dena), Claire “Alyce” Turner Johnson (Kyle), Ruth “L’Vonne” Turner Parnell (Donnie), Terry Gordon Turner (Diane), and Miriam Elizabeth Turner Tobias (Ron); grandchildren, Robert Gordon Edge (Jennifer), Daniel Edge, Christopher Turner (Allison), Jennifer Turner (fiancé, Matthew Christopher Gee), Joshua Tobias, Calvin Tobias, and Hannah Tobias; two great-grandchildren, Christin and William Edge; and his beloved cat, “Dee Dee.” In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 62 years, Cora Anne Trogdon Turner, and seven siblings, John Wallace Turner, Ila Ann Turner, Morris Edwin Turner, Walter Martin Turner, Lloyd Hunter Turner, Oscar Otis Turner, and Nell Gray Turner.