Betty Irene Turner

Betty Irene Turner, 88, of OKC passed away peacefully on Aug 16, 2018 with her loving family by her side. Services have been entrusted to the care of Advantage Funeral & Cremation and a service celebrating her life will be held at 2pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at the Advantage Funeral Home Chapel located at 7720 S. Pennsylvania, OKC, OK 73159 with interment to follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens in OKC. Public visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday from 12pm to 8pm.

Betty Irene Lawson was born on April 19, 1930 in OKC to Charles and Elva (Wiggins) Lawson. She was raised and attended schools in OKC and at the age of 14 she left school to take job at a S. OKC pharmacy. At the age of 17 she began a full-time career at Wilson Food’s in the processing department. In the late 1940’s Betty was walking out of a movie theatre when she met a handsome young man named Charles Joseph Turner Jr. They purchased a home (where Betty lived until her passing) a short time later and were soon married. Betty and Charles raised four children together and spent 55 years together before his passing in 2005.

Betty spent four decades working for Wilson Food’s before retiring in the late 1980’s. Retirement was short lived and she soon accepted a position as a baker for the Western Heights Public Schools. She was lovingly referred to as the “Lady with the Big Buns” at WHPS where she spent 23 years working and she made many wonderful friends before retiring in 2005. Betty was a longtime member of The Order of the Eastern Star- Harmony Chapter as well as Grace Baptist Church in OKC.

Ms. Turner enjoyed spending time at Wewoka Lake, cooking, canning, and sitting on her porch drinking coffee and serving as the “neighborhood watch”. She collected cookbooks, presidential memorabilia, and old car figurines. She was a sharp business-minded woman who served in various roles for the AFLCIO Meat Packers Union. She was also a fan of garage-saling and shopping on QVC. Many friends are also surprised to learn the she was a roller-skater and that in her younger years she was an avid dancer who never missed a chance to show off her and Charles’ waltzing and country western dancing skills. She was a humorous and matter of fact woman who enjoyed being an entertainer. She loved to host backyard cookouts with karaoke that oftentimes would last into the early morning hours. Those who knew Betty best know that her family was always her top priority and she was never happier than when she was surrounded by her kids and grandkids.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of over 5 decades Charles Turner Jr, 10 siblings, and an honorary daughter Gloria Goff. Left behind to carry on her memory are her four children: Charles Turner and wife Lesa,Ronald Turner and wife Julie, Ginger Dowd and husband Lonnie, and Peggy Lyles. Three siblings: Mary Jane Isbill, Norma Williams, and Charles Lawson. 16 grandchildren and spouses: Charlotte Walters, Charles Allison, Chelsea Turner, Cris Turner, Michael Turner, Michele Harper, Michael Deleza, Desiree Keener, Leigha Humphrey, Stephanie Dowd, Chad Dowd, Will Lyles, Frances Boggs, Janiece Monroe, Angel Herrea, and Bianca Herrera. 25 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild with another on the way. She is also survived by an honorary daughter Teresa Phillips. Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.advantageokc.com