Category: 1950

Beloved husband and father, The Reverend Robert Lawrence Turnipseed (affectionately known as “Lonnie”) was an American missionary of the Methodist Church, a leader in the ecumenical movement, and a former General Secretary of the Hong Kong Christian Council. He was especially proud of pioneering the development of Asbury Village, a new Christian village organized by the Methodist Church to provide shelter and social services. He planned the withdrawal of the American missionaries of the Methodist Church from HK, which led to its self-support and the union of American- and British-affiliated Methodist branches in HK.

Lonnie was born in Greenwood, South Carolina, on January 20, 1927. His family moved to Statesville, North Carolina, where he grew up. Lonnie joined the Navy Medical Corps at 17 during World War II. After the war, he earned a Bachelor of Science from Davidson College in North Carolina (1947). While working as a teacher, encouraged by a former missionary in Japan and his future wife, Olive Askew Wilkinson (“Ibby”), who was also mission-minded, he felt God’s call to become a missionary. In 1952, he entered the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Georgia where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. After marrying in 1954, Lonnie and Ibby later had four children. He graduated and was ordained an elder in the Methodist Church in 1955. While pursuing his Masters in New Testament Studies at Emory, he learned they would be sent to serve in the ministry in HK. In conjunction with writing his dissertation, they studied Mandarin at Yale University to prepare for ministry to Mandarin-speaking refugees from mainland China.

Lonnie and his family arrived in HK in January 1958. He was assigned as the Associate Pastor of Ward Memorial Church in Kowloon, Director of Rooftop Work, and Director of construction and programs at Tai Wo Hau, which later became the Asbury Circuit. He also served as a lecturer at Chung Chi College. Ibby, who had studied Christian education in the United States, was involved in training the Sunday School teachers of Ward Memorial; she later served many years in the Education Department of the Annual Conference. 

Lonnie was passionately involved in the development of Asbury Village, a new Christian village established by the Methodist Church; and, in 1959, he became the first Pastor in Charge of the Asbury Circuit. He founded a community center (today’s Asbury Methodist Social Service), established Sunday services (today’s Asbury Methodist Church), a kindergarten (today’s Asbury Methodist Kindergarten & Day Nursery), a primary school (today’s Asbury Methodist Primary School), a library, a medical clinic, etc. In 1960, he started rooftop work at Block X in Wong Tai Sin, the largest resettlement estate in HK at the time, providing primary education, recreation, and social services to the children and their families. In 1961, Lonnie handed over the post of Pastor in Charge to The Reverend Lincoln Leung, and became the Associate Pastor of the Asbury Circuit, focusing on community services. From 1962 onwards, Lonnie also became the Administrator (HK & Kowloon) of the newly established Plummer Fund, an American businessman’s bequest, which he authorized the Methodist Church to use for the direct relief of the Chinese people. Under Lonnie’s leadership, the Fund started medical, food, and clothing relief work in HK.

In 1964-66, the Methodist Board of Missions sent Lonnie to New York to lead the Long Range Planning Office of the World Division and to serve as the secretary of the Commission on the Structure of Methodism Overseas, where he planned the restructuring of the organization and governance of the global Methodist church’s establishment of independent international conferences and leadership, including the gradual withdrawal of the U.S. missionaries (including himself) amid the global wave of anti-colonialism and the return of church leadership to local leaders. This restructuring also fully integrated the US Methodist Church conferences. While in New York, Lonnie earned a Master of Sacred Theology degree from Union Theological Seminary.

Upon his return to HK, Lonnie was assigned to the posts of Associate Pastor/Pastor of Asbury Church (1967-1968), Supervisor of Asbury Methodist Primary School, and Director of the newly constructed Silvermine Bay Conference Center. He then served as Acting Senior Pastor of North Point Methodist Church (1968-69), Advisory Pastor of Grace Methodist Church (1969-71), and Pastor of Messiah Methodist Church and Agape Methodist Church (1971-72). He again assumed the responsibilities of the Plummer Fund Representative. 

With the experience of building Asbury Village, he led the development of another village, St. Andrews by the Sea, in Yuen Chau Tsai, Tai Po, in 1968. He was further involved in local ecumenical ministries as a board member of Chung Chi Theological Seminary and the Christian Study Center at Tao Fong Shan, as well as Executive Secretary and General Secretary (1972) of the HK Christian Council. During that time, he initiated the exchange of pulpits among different denominations to promote communion and unity. Regarding regional cooperation, Lonnie served as the secretary for the Asia Methodist Advisory Committee (1967-73) whose goal was to facilitate closer working relationships between Asian Methodist Churches and the Christian Conference of Asia.

Lonnie contributed much to the union of the Methodist branches in HK. At the 1967 Annual Conference of the Methodist Church, he moved a motion to ask the Bishop to appoint a group of eight to discuss a merger with the British-affiliated Methodist Church and to ask the General Conference to allow the American-affiliated Methodist Church to merge when the conditions were ripe. The motion was carried, and he was appointed to the eight-member group. This was an important step towards withdrawing the mission force and unifying the local Methodist churches in HK. In 1970, he became the English Secretary of the Methodist Negotiating Committee, contributing to the union of these churches in 1975.

In July 1973, the Turnipseeds returned to the United States where they lived in Nutley, NJ, and Lonnie was active in Vincent United Methodist Church. Committed to ecumenism, Lonnie joined the staff of the Ecumenical Division of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, which soon after became The General Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Concerns. He served first as Executive Secretary and then as Associate General Secretary. Lonnie was a member of the General Conference’s Planning Committee and Treasurer of the National Workshop on Christian Unity. He served as chair of two committees of the National Council of the Churches (NCC) of Christ in the USA: the Committee on Jewish/Christian Relations and the Christian/Muslim Task Force. He also participated in the Consultation on Church Union in the US and the unit on Dialogue with Persons of Other Faiths. He became Director of the NCC’s Southern Asia Office, an arm of Church World Service, in 1981, and then Director of Church World Service (CWS) in 1993, retiring in 1996. During this period, he chaired several Roundtables of the Asia Desk, served as a member of the International Committee of the Campaign to End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism, and was a member of the World Conference for Religions and Peace (WRCP).

In retirement, Lonnie continued to serve as a member of the CWS Committee on Common Witness and the US Catholic Mission Association. He also served for several years on the Asia Committee of the American Friends Service Committee. In 2001, he wrote a book entitled “New Life on the Mekong: Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.” Eventually, Lonnie and Ibby moved to Lansdale, PA, to be near family and live in the Dock Woods Retirement Community. Here they became involved in the local Lansdale United Methodist Church and established many new friendships.

A proud, kind brother, husband, father, and grandfather, Lonnie deeply loved his family. He is survived by his wife Ibby of 72 years, his brother Bob Turnipseed, and his sister Martha Berrier (née Turnipseed) and her husband Ron; his children: Jeanne Guernsey (née Turnipseed) and her husband Tod, Rob Turnipseed Jr, Kathryn Turnipseed and her wife Tam Saimons; his five grandchildren: Danielle Dugas (née Guernsey) and her husband Ian, Justin Guernsey and his wife Lucie, Cara Biddle (née Guernsey) and her husband Nicholas, Luke Turnipseed and his wife Katie, and Olivia Bayley (née Turnipseed) and her husband Sean; and his eight great grandchildren: Ryan Guernsey, Spencer Guernsey, Emma Turnipseed, Sammy Turnipseed, Teddy Turnipseed, Alice Bayley, Violet Bayley, and Lee Dugas. Lonnie was predeceased by his infant daughter Laurie, his niece Christy Paige Berrier, his parents Robert and Sue Alice Turnipseed, his nephew Neal Hatcher, his sister-in-law Margery Turnipseed, and his daughter-in-law, Deb Vollmer Turnipseed.

Above, beyond, and motivating his accomplishments, Dad was inspired by a deep love for God and God’s people. The following scripture painted in Chinese calligraphy represents his core belief that the most important Christian teaching is … love. (1 Corinthians v13).

In lieu of flowers, Lonnie requested that any memorial contributions be made to one of the following organizations:

The Laurie Turnipseed Fund, Church World Service

PO Box 968, 28606 Phillips Street, Elkhart, IN 46515

Dock Woods Sharing Fund, Living Branches Foundation

275 Dock Drive, Lansdale Pa 19446

https://livingbranches.org/donate

Lansdale United Methodist Church

300 N. Broad Street, Lansdale, PA, 19446

https://onrealm.org/lansdaleumc/-/form/give/now

UMC Black College Fund

https://www.gbhem.org/education/bcf-for-schools

Memorial Service February 28, 2026, 2:00PM at Derstine Chapel, 275 Dock Dr, Lansdale, PA 19446

Charles William Miller entered the more immediate presence of his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. He was born in Winston-Salem, NC on July 21, 1929, the son of M.E. and Elizabeth Norfleet Miller. Educated in the public schools of Winston-Salem, he graduated from RJ Reynolds High School in 1946. In 1950 he graduated from Davidson College where he made many life long friends. Charlie was employed by Insurance Services Company of Winston-Salem for 40 years, retiring as president of the company. He was a life long member of the Moravian Church and served on various local church boards, as well as on boards of the Southern Province of the Moravian Church. Charlie was the first layman elected to serve as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Salem Academy and College. He also served as a Trustee of Old Salem, Inc., serving as Chairman during his last year on the board. He also enjoyed serving with the Shepherd’s Center and Meals on Wheels.

Charlie enjoyed his travels at home and abroad with his wife, Nancy and friends. He loved and was proud of his and Nancy’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Charlie was also proud to be a North Carolinian and proud of his southern heritage. He was always very grateful for all the blessings God bestowed upon him and his family.

Charlie was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Stuart N. Miller; grandson, Jeb Ward; and son-in-law, Randy Phelps. He is survived by his true partner in life and dear wife, Nancy Hall Miller; three children, Corinne Ward (Bill), William Miller (Missy), and Christine Phelps; stepson, Dane Heath (Amy); grandchildren, Lizzie Roediger (Charles), Cori Tuller (Alex), Bo Ward, MaryGrace Ward, Katie Miller, Rob Wooten (Liz), Liza DeFago (Chris), Lily Donadio, Jimmy Phelps, Cameron Heath and Zachary Heath; nine great-grandchildren; and nephew, Stuart N. Miller, Jr.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 20, 2025 at Calvary Moravian Church with a visitation following the service in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Calvary Moravian Church, 600 Holly Ave., NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, Ashe Food Pantry, 115 Colvard St., Jefferson, NC 28640, Trellis Hospice Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103,or to the charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be shared online at www.salemfh.com.

Colonel Eugene Franklin Crooks (USA, Ret.)

February 16, 1927 – September 5, 2025

Colonel Eugene Franklin Crooks (USA, Ret.) passed away on Friday, September 5, 2025. Colonel Crooks was born in Concord, NC, on February 16, 1927, to William Weler Crooks and Ora Hall Crooks.

The lives he touched in his 98 years on this earth continue to unfold to us as we continue to learn of his unselfishness to family, friends, and strangers that encountered this amazing man.

“They don’t make them like him anymore.”

“Oh, what reminiscence stories of his life experiences we will sorely miss.”

Following graduation from Concord High School in 1944, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving overseas on Guam until receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1946. He attended Davidson College, where in 1948, he received a Commission through ROTC as an infantry Second Lieutenant. He entered active duty in the US Army in November 1949 and served thirty years, retiring as a full Colonel in 1979. He served in and commanded infantry, airborne, and Army Aviation units in some of the Army’s finest Divisions, including the First Infantry Division, the 82nd Airborne, the Seventh Infantry Division, and the 101st Airborne Division. In Vietnam, he commanded the 10th Combat Aviation Battalion and later served as Operations Officer and Chief of Staff of the First Aviation Brigade. Assignments in Higher Headquarters include Headquarters XVIII Airborne Corps, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Headquarters US Army Europe, Headquarters Eighth US Army, and US Force Korea. His military professional education includes the Basic and Advanced Officers Courses, Command and General Staff College, and the Armed Forces Staff College. He was a graduate of and served in the faculty of both the Army and Air War Colleges. He was a member of the US Army Strategic Studies Institute. His last assignment was Army Advisor to the Commander, Air University. Civilian schooling includes a BS in Economics and Business Administration and a master’s degree in public administration. He was a Ranger, Senior Parachutist, and Senior Army Aviator, both fixed and rotary wing qualified, multiengine, instrument-rated. Among his decorations, and awards are the Legion of merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters, Joint Service and Army Commendations Medals, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal, US Vietnam Service Medal (four campaigns), Korean Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star and others. After retirement from the military, he served for ten years in various positions with the State of Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board. He served as a church officer for many years in Memorial Presbyterian Church prior to joining First United Methodist Church. “Gene” was a member of the Military Officers Association of America, the Order of Daedalians, Sons of the American Revolution, Association of the US Army, the Marine Corps League, and other military and civilian associations.

Col. Crooks was preceded in death by Ruth Lotschaw Crooks, his first wife; a son, Mark Edward Crooks; a son, Richard Douglas Crooks; and a daughter, Sharon Rae Crooks Reed.

He is survived by his wife, Erin Nation Crooks; daughter-in-law, Christa Crooks; son-in-law, Robert Reed; daughter-in-law, Patricia Lusk Crooks; stepsons, Brad Conway and Patrick Conway; grandchildren, Jessica Crooks Francis, Jared Crooks, Jamie Crooks (Tristen Malone), Rebecca Reed; two great-grandchildren, Caleb Francis, and Khloee Crooks; several nieces and nephews.

A friend’s and family visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home, 10505 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36117. A graveside service with military honors will be rendered at 11 a.m. in Alabama Heritage Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, you may make memorials to First United Methodist Church, Montgomery, 2416 West Cloverdale Park, Montgomery, AL 36106-1908, your local Humane Society, or your favorite charity of choice.

Douglas Wiley Hix, 97, of Laurinburg, N.C., passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Scotia Village Retirement Community.

He is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 75 years, Patricia DeFord Hix; three sons, Donald Parker Hix (Katherine) of Franklin County, Va., Joshua Wiley Hix (Sarah) of Grayson, Ga., and Timothy Preston Hix (Robin) of Lexington, Ky.; and his grandson, Grant Preston Hix (Megan) of Augusta, Ga. He is also remembered by a large extended family of step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Doug was preceded in death by his parents, William Parker Hix and Daisye Mai Wiley Hix; his brother, Charles Parker Hix; and his sister, Joye Hix Glovier.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Laurinburg Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Rebekah Carpenter, Charles Wentz, and Rev. Dr. Frank Covington officiating.

Doug lived a life guided by service to God and an enduring curiosity about the world. These traits, as well as the deep, abiding love for his family, no doubt contributed to his amazing longevity. He found his fulfillment as a husband, father, grandfather, teacher, pastor, counselor, explorer, and all-around leader of many. He was a prodigious reader, avid hiker, world traveler, and a big fan of the Duke Blue Devils, Davidson Wildcats, and Atlanta Braves. Nothing gave him greater delight than to help those in his circle of family and friends, or those in his charge, achieve success, enjoyment, and fulfillment in life. And to those who knew and loved him, he could always be counted on for stimulating conversation. His pastor’s heart was the hallmark of Doug’s entire ministry, whether teaching college students, retired pastors or pastoring his own Flock.

Doug was born on April 1, 1928, in St. Augustine, Florida. For much of his youth, his family moved wherever his father worked as a contractor building roads throughout the South. It was during their time in Atlanta when, as a teenager, he met Patricia Ann DeFord in the youth fellowship group at the Peachtree Road Presbyterian Church. The two survived college years apart, he at Davidson and she at Agnes Scott, before they were married on Aug. 19, 1950, in the same church where they met. Pat was in his presence when he passed, just three days shy of their 75th anniversary.

Doug and Pat’s journey began at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, where he enrolled and where they became first-time parents (Don in 1952). He earned his Bachelor of Divinity from Columbia in 1953. He was ordained to ministry at the Dallas Presbyterian Church, LaGrange, Georgia, in May of 1953. Then it was on to Duke University, where Doug began to work on his PhD. in Ethics from the Graduate School of the Divinity School there. He interrupted his post-graduate studies to get a real job, this time as a professor and later Dean of Students at King College in Bristol, Tennessee. It was in Bristol where Doug and Pat welcomed Josh in 1957 and Tim in 1960.

Doug found time in 1965 to complete his studies at Duke. Three years later, he moved his family to Laurinburg, where he taught Philosophy and Christian Thought at St. Andrews Presbyterian College. In 1975, as the Laurinburg Presbyterian Church sought to fill the vacancy in its pastorship, he offered to take the job on an interim schedule. Things went so well that he was tapped as its full-time pastor the following year.

In June of 1980, Doug answered his alma mater’s call when Columbia Seminary lured him back to Decatur to serve as Director of Advanced Studies. For 13 years, with Pat as his assistant, Doug built this program from the basement floor, with backyard ice cream socials at home, group tours to Scotland and Israel, and with satellite programs far and wide. By the time they both retired in 1993, Columbia’s Advanced Studies program had become one of the nation’s most successful.

In Doug and Pat’s life journey together, they always felt most at home in Laurinburg, so they settled there in retirement. Except that Doug continued to work to serve God and others through serving as Stated Supply at Centre Presbyterian Church, in Maxton, for at least 14 years. He worked for 10 years with the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina to organize and lead the Retreat at the Beach for pastors and spouses, and he helped establish the program to educate lay pastors. At the age of 82, he really retired. A life well lived!

Memorials may be made to Laurinburg Presbyterian Church, 600 W. Church St., Laurinburg NC 28352.

Bumgarner Family Funeral Service and Crematorium is assisting the Hix Family.

Online Condolences can be made at www.bumgarnerfunerals.comDonations:

Laurinburg Presbyterian Church
600 W. Church St., Laurinburg NC 28352

George Sadler Edwards, Sr. died peacefully at home on November 15, 2024. George was born on March 4, 1928, in Rocky Mount, NC to George Ryland Edwards and Nancy Patterson Edwards. He was an Eagle Scout and attended The McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN where he met the love of his life, Katherine Banks. George attended Davidson College, and he and Kathy were married in 1949.

After graduation, the couple lived briefly in Rocky Mount before moving to Chapel Hill for ten years, where George completed his studies at the UNC School of Medicine and a residency in orthopedic surgery. The couple and their three children moved to Raleigh in 1962, where their fourth child was born.

George was the original founder of a private practice in orthopedic surgery which grew into Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic. He was Medical Staff President of Raleigh Community Hospital and was also on the medical staff at Rex Hospital and Wake Medical Center. Additionally, he served for a number of years as a consultant in orthopedics for the NC Central Prison, Dorothea Dix Hospital and Butner Hospital. He was also the NC State University team physician during the 70s.

A lifelong Presbyterian, George was a deacon at White Memorial Presbyterian Church. He was a Tar Heel fan and enjoyed swimming, hiking the Appalachian Trail and travel. He and Kathy visited every state in the US except Alaska. Following retirement, his love of reading led to his writing and publishing ten books.

George is predeceased by his parents; his wife, Kathy, to whom he was married for seventy years; brothers, Ryland Edwards and John Edwards; brother-in-law, Woodruff “Woody” Banks; and sisters-in-law, Evelyn and Margaret Edwards.

He is survived by his four children, George Sadler Edwards, Jr., M.D. (Lynn) of Raleigh, Nancy Edwards Fitzgerald (Harry) of Winston-Salem, Elizabeth Edwards Gladden of Atlanta, Woodruff Asbury Banks Edwards (Meredith) of Darien, CT. George is also survived by nine grandchildren: Susan Edwards Lewis (Dan) of Wilmington, NC, George Edwards III, M.D (Rebecca) of Raleigh, Julia Edwards Ainsley (Newman) of Washington, DC, Lee Fitzgerald Kennelly and Katherine Fitzgerald Kenney (Jay) both of Charlotte, Nicole Matthews (Asher) of Pomona, NY, Ashley Jackson (Jordan) of Atlanta, Anna Edwards of New York City and Kate Edwards of Darien, CT. He is also survived by eleven great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Lewis, Jeffrey Lewis, George R. Edwards, Hurley Edwards, Mary Wells Ainsley, Caroline Ainsley, Kevin Kennelly, Anna Kennelly, Harry Kenney, Anne Kenney and Parker Jordan. Also surviving is sister-in-law, Margie Banks.

A private graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, followed by a memorial service at White Memorial Presbyterian Church at 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 2, 2024. The family will receive visitors in the Jane Bell Gathering Space immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Road, Raleigh, NC 27608 or Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or the charity of choice.