Ruth Jean Turner

Ruth Jean Turner, Jean to those who knew her well, passed away suddenly May 1, 2015. She lived a full and rich 91+ years and reveled in the joys of being a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, cousin, sister-in-law, colleague and friend to so many over the course of her life. She passed away in Marietta, Georgia where she called home for over 35 years. She enjoyed life each day right up to her passing from acute cardiac arrest early Friday morning.

Jean was born in Pennsylvania and called Nanticoke home for her childhood and early adult life. She married William G. Turner Jr. and raised their son and daughter there as well. She was one of the “greatest generation” women who understood the Great Depression and worked through the war to help America’s cause. After years of being an at home mother, she began a long career as a dental assistant and receptionist in Nanticoke and continued it when she moved to Georgia. After retiring from her dental career she returned to a past career in retail sales in a department store and also thoroughly enjoyed many years as Santa’s assistant during Christmas seasons.

Jean was active in her Episcopal faith in both Nanticoke at St. George’s Church and at the Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Marietta where her memorial service and interment will take place on May 24. She served in many volunteer roles at both churches and found contentment in serving her Lord that way. In leisure time she was a voracious reader of all genres, a crossword puzzle devotee, and a formidable Scrabble player. A world atlas was always close by as she followed current events and the travels of her family and friends. She fondly remembered her month’s sojourn in France with her husband’s sister and family. Jean was a 50 year member of the Eastern Star chapter in Pennsylvania as was her late husband as a Free Mason. Memories of her will be forever special to her surviving son and daughter as well as with six grandchildren, five great grandchildren and scores of friends and acquaintances with whom she enjoyed daily life.

Donations can be made in her memory to the stain glass fund at the Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, 1795 Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta, GA 30062. H. M. Patterson & Son Canton Hill Chapel of East Cobb has established a condolences website for those wishing to share messages of sympathy or special memories of this beloved woman. The link is: hmpattersoncantonhill.com. The family thanks everyone for their relationships with Jean and in joining them to celebrate her life.

“This is the day which the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”