Mildred Martha Turner

Mildred (also known as Sally by early childhood friends and family) was born January 12, 1922, in Rowan County and was the daughter of the late Joe and Anna Belle Donahue Cranford. For many years in the past, she worked in the lunchroom at Cool Springs School and on the dairy farm she owned along with her husband, Clyde. She was an active member of New Salem United Methodist Church where the Mildred Turner Community Action Group was named in her honor, and was a recipient of the UMW lifetime membership award.

Mildred loved her family and her church family and is known by many as the matriarch of her church, family and community. She loved cooking, painting, gardening, and was forever lending love and support to all she knew.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 50 years, Oscar “Clyde” Turner; a daughter Gwenda Ann Turner Parker (Bill); two brothers, Josh Cranford and Nephi Cranford; and four sisters, Inez Penry, Linnie Cartner, LeVoy Powell, and Nannie Donahue.

She is survived by two sons, Tommy Turner (Jenny) of Mocksville, and Danny Turner (Elaine) of Statesville; eight grandchildren, Eddie Parker (Kim), Michael Parker (Sophia), Tracy Parker Allen (Jimmy), all of Statesville, Kim Parker Nakhle (Samir) of Concord, Tonya Turner-Carroll (Michael) of Santa Fe, NM, Tiffany Evans (Matt) of Mocksville, Chris Turner (Michelle) of Hartsville, SC, and Ryan Turner of San Diego, CA; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services celebrating Mildred’s life will be held at 2:00 PM today (Tuesday), July 26, 2011, at New Salem United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Gay officiating. The body will lie in state for two hours at the church prior to the service and burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Don Clendenin, Tom Bridges, Vic Ellis, Hugh Steele, Robbie Penry, and Rod Dixon will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to New Salem United Methodist Church, 155 New Salem Road, Statesville, NC 28625.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.