Stella E. Turner

Stella E. Turner, 84, of Atlanta, passed away at home surrounded by her children on November 7, 2024. Mrs. Turner was born in Jacksonville, FL, and was the daughter of the late Rupert and Christine Evans. She graduated from Lee High School in 1958 and then attended Barry College in Miami, where she majored in music. Stella was recognized as Miss Jacksonville, Florida, in 1958. Over the years, she held a number of positions, including serving as an Administrative Assistant for a real estate developer, working as a real estate agent for Watson Real Estate, and as an Executive Assistant for Plant Engineering of Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative, before retiring in 2003. Stella moved to Sandy Springs, Georgia, in 2015 to be closer to her daughter Mandy and enjoy her grandchildren.

Stella was involved in an accident in 2017, where she sustained catastrophic injuries. Her journey back to living independently included eight months of hospitalization and rehabilitation. Learning to walk again was among the many milestones she fought to achieve during that time. She showed her true character as a woman of remarkable grit, courage, strength, and a strong will to continue a life with her children, grandchildren, and the people she loved. She had a sweet, Southern way about her that made people feel good just being in her presence. Her first inclination was always to take care of others; she was empathetic, kind, and generous. Stella was a beautiful person, inside and out, and will be missed by everyone who loved her. Strong in her Christian faith, she enthusiastically joined Kingswood Church in 2016. Having raised her children in the church, Stella imparted wisdom, faith, and love to all who knew her.

Mrs. Turner was preceded in death by her son, Kenneth Strickland, Jr., and her two brothers and sister: Rupert Evans, Jeannie E. Thomas, and Michael Evans.

She is survived by her daughter, Amanda Turner Mayers (Jordan); sons, Mitch Strickland (Jodi) and Eric Strickland (Karen); grandchildren, Melissa Strickland, Kenneth Strickland III, Evelyn Strickland, Joseph Strickland, Shawn Strickland, Kelsey Strickland, Eric Strickland II, Dylan Mayers, and Logan Mayers; great-grandchildren, Adrian and Payton Strickland; and her brother, Patrick Evans.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Kingswood Church, https://onrealm.org/KingswoodUnited/-/form/give/now

The family will receive friends at the viewing on Friday, November 15, 2024, from 6 to 8 o’clock at H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd., NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 1 o’clock at Kingswood Church, 4896 North Peachtree Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30338. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, GA. Celebration of Life will be held at Tre Vele, 6017 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, from 3 to 5 o’clock.