Ben Ray Turner

Ben Ray Turner, Sr, passed away peacefully at Pine Pointe Hospice on February 14, 2014 surrounded by his family. A Celebration of his Life will be held at 11:00 AM Monday at Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street. Burial will be private for family only in Riverside Cemetery (North Gate). Rev. Ron Holland will officiate. The family will greet friends following the memorial service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Vineville Baptist Church, 2591 Vineville Avenue, Macon 31204 or Pine Pointe Hospice, 6261 Peake Road, Macon 31210.

Mr. Turner was born on June 24, 1926 in Jenkins County, Georgia. He was the son of the late Oscar Cleveland Turner and Susie Gay Turner. After graduation from Portal High School, at the height of WWII, Ben joined the Navy and volunteered for the Underwater Demolition Team and received an honorable discharge in 1945. After the war, Mr. Turner went to work for several years for Ellis Wholesale Grocers before joining Tri-State Tractor Company in Statesboro as a salesman. He later was transferred and promoted to Vice-President, where he served as the Macon Branch Manager until his retirement. After retirement and in order to stay busy, Ben took on several part time jobs with his longest stint at Jackson Automotive where he drove and delivered cars to customers and developed some great friendships along the way until he retired again at 85 in 2011.

Since moving to Macon in 1962, Ben has been a member of Vineville Baptist Church and at the time of his death was a member of the Lamplighter Sunday School Class. Mr. Turner, who always had a smile and kind word for whomever he came in contact with, has many friends and acquaintances and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Mr. Turner is survived by his wife of 65 years, Anne Attaway Turner; sons, Ben Ray Turner, Jr. (Trish) of Macon, Terry Turner of Atlanta, Dr. Stephen B. Turner (Maria) of Macon, and Dr. Robert M. Turner (Kerri) of Ft. Myers, FL; 17 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces & nephews.

Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express tributes.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Services, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.