Rebecca Lenora Turner

Rebecca Lenora (Whitely) (Horton) Turner, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, peacefully made her earthly transition on the morning of December 17, 2025, at her home in Detroit, Michigan, at the age of 90.

Rebecca, affectionately known as Becky, was born on June 10, 1935, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to the late Arthur and Luella Whitely, Sr. She was the second of nine children and often served as a surrogate mother to her siblings. Raised with a deep sense of faith, Becky accepted Jesus Christ at an early age, beginning a lifelong walk with the Lord. She was a faithful member of Oak Grove AME Church for more than 50 years. Her faith, strong work ethic, love for family and humanity, and commitment to civic involvement were defining pillars of her life.

Becky attended public schools in West Virginia and earned her bachelor’s degree from Bluefield State College. She later obtained a Master of Arts degree from the University of Detroit. She dedicated 38 years to the field of education, teaching in both the Toledo and Detroit Public School Systems before retiring, which allowed her to receive numerous awards for educational excellence. Becky was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and was influential in inspiring several family members and friends to pledge the same organization.

Becky was married to Jerry Horton for fifteen years, and from that union, two sons were born: Jeffrey and Roderick Horton. She later married Hilton Turner, Sr., with whom she shared fifty-one years of marriage. Through that union, she gained four “bonus” children: Catherine Sampson, Shelly Singleton, Hazel Turner, and Hilton Turner, Jr. During her teaching career, she also became a devoted godmother to Lisa Knott, Cynthia King, and Anthony Johnson.

Known as a sassy yet classy lady, Becky took great pride in her personal style, home furnishings, and beautifully landscaped lawn. She faithfully cultivated vegetable gardens each year, and her perfectly manicured lawn earned local recognition and was even featured on television. She was also an avid collector of Blue Willow china collectibles. Becky also meticulously researched and documented seven generations of her family’s history, proudly serving as the family historian. She was precise, detail-oriented, an excellent cook, and known for never missing an opportunity to acknowledge family milestones with a thoughtful card.

Becky was preceded in death by her husband, Hilton Turner, Sr.; her parents, Arthur and Luella Whitely, Sr.; her brothers, Arthur Whitely, Jr., and Leonard Whitely; and her sisters, Doris Abram and Geraldean Whitely.

She leaves to cherish her memory her sons, Jeffrey (Sonya) Horton, Sr., Roderick (JoAnn) Horton, and Hilton (Terri) Turner, Jr.; her daughters, Catherine (Alton) Sampson, Shelly (Paul) Singleton, and Hazel Turner; her brothers, Theodore (Betty) Whitely, Sr. and Leander (Dorothy) Whitely; her sisters, Josephine Whitely-Fields and Gracye Sturdivant; nineteen grandchildren; fifty-six great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

The family will receive visitors at the funeral home on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and again on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The Omega Omega Service will immediately follow from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The Homegoing Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at the Harry J. Will Funeral Home, located at 37000 Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152.