C B Turner

C B Turner, 89, peacefully passed away on Friday, June 30, 2023, at Maggie Valley Nursing & Rehabilitation. He was born on June 29, 1934 in Davidson County, Tennessee, and was the youngest son of the late Clarence Blount Turner and Ethel Sivley Turner.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce Wheeler Turner; his son, Kerry Alan Turner; three sisters, Frances, Doris and Geneva; and one brother, Frank Turner.

He grew up on a small farm in the Bakertown community near Nashville, Tennessee. At age eight, his father gave him two piglets and for several years he raised and sold pigs. This was the beginning of his business career.

Soon after graduation from Antioch High School, he went to work at the railroad. He realized that this was not the path he wanted for his life. He took a job with Burroughs Corporation, the second largest main frame computer company in the world with 120,000 employees. He quickly moved up the ranks and into headquarters in Detroit, Michigan. He met all goals and exceeded expectations. He was then promoted to Vice President in Charge of Latin America and the Caribbean. He moved his headquarters to Boca Raton, Florida.

In his 50’s, he took early retirement from Burroughs and started his own company. He owned and operated Arby’s Roast Beef restaurants in South Florida, having a chain of 11 when he retired and sold his business.

C B always said his greatest blessing in life was his salvation when he was 11 years old. He was an ordained deacon, Sunday School teacher, served on many church committees including finance, building and missions. He was a gifted soloist and led church choirs for over 40 years.

He said his second greatest blessing was God using him to recruit five other couples and start Boca Glades Baptist Church in Boca Raton, Florida. This church grew to be the second largest Baptist church in Palm Beach County.

And then another blessing in his life was when he met and married Judy Sanford Gilstrap in 2013. They knew God brought them together and they enjoyed a beautiful, loving relationship for over ten years.

He and Judy recently funded a home for foster children through the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina. The Turner Cottage in Haysville, NC was dedicated on May 22, 2023. Yet another blessing in his life.

He was a member of Dellwood Missionary Baptist Church.

He spent many summers in Maggie Valley to escape the heat in Florida and eventually bought a summer home and then built his retirement home. He loved golf and spent many hours on the Maggie Valley Country Club golf course winning trophies and awards.

He loved football and followed the Miami Dolphins NFL team.

C B was an incredible Christian man who loved his Lord, his family, his friends, his church, his country and his wife.

In addition to his wife, Judy Sanford Gilstrap Turner, he is survived by a daughter, KT Bykowsky (Dave) of Maggie Valley, NC; daughter-in-law, Mirian Ramos Turner, of Boca Raton, FL; step-daughter, Melissa Gilstrap, of Pickens, SC; two grandchildren, Mia Turner and Casey Turner, of Boca Raton, FL; two step-granddaughters, Lauren Hunter West and Cheyenne Crowe, of Pickens, SC, and a step grandson, Tristan Crowe, stationed in San Diego, CA with the U. S. Navy, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

A visitation for CB will be held Wednesday, July 5, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Dellwood Baptist Church. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Dellwood Baptist Church. A graveside & committal service will occur Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 3:00 PM at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Greenville, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Building Fund of Dellwood Missionary Baptist Church, 115 Hall Drive, Waynesville, NC 28785, Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, 111 Sneed Drive, Clyde, NC 28721, or one’s favorite charity.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com for the Turner family.