Ann Miller Turnage

Born on April 6, 1941, in Memphis, Ann was a lifelong Memphian whose life was marked by quiet strength, thoughtful insight, and a deep and growing faith in Jesus Christ.

Ann was a devoted homemaker who created a home that was both welcoming and steady. She had an analytical mind paired with a quick wit, a combination that made her both wise and engaging. She noticed details others might miss and had a gift for bringing clarity, often with a touch of humor.

She expressed her love in creative and memorable ways. She could often be found picking up her boys from elementary school at PDS in a restored World War II military jeep, a moment that was as much an adventure as it was a routine. She planned extensive road trips for friends and elderly relatives, thoughtfully mapping journeys across the country so others could experience places they might never have seen on their own. For children connected to a friend’s practice, she spent hours making elaborate candy necklaces, turning simple gestures into something joyful and lasting.

Ann also had a deep appreciation for learning and for doing things the right way. At the family farm in Saulsbury, Tennessee, she embraced the challenge of learning new skills, from milking a cow and churning butter to processing and salt curing a pig. These experiences reflected both her curiosity and her willingness to step fully into whatever season she was in.

Her faith in Christ was the foundation of her life, shaping her decisions and guiding her relationships. In her later years especially, she was intentional about growing in her relationship with Jesus and sharing the hope of the gospel with others.

Ann is survived by her sons, Scott Turnage and Andy Turnage (Susan); and her cherished grandchildren, Mary Ann Turnage and Meg Turnage.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Baxter Turnage; her brother, Dwight Miller; and her sister, Cathy Latham.

Ann will be remembered for her steady presence, her sharp mind and gentle wit, and the thoughtful, often creative ways she loved others. Her life reflected a growing faith and a legacy that will continue to bear fruit in the lives of those she touched.

One of Ann’s favorite songs was Sweet Beulah Land, a hymn that beautifully captured her longing for heaven and the promise of what was to come:

I’m looking now across the river

Where my faith will end in sight

Beulah Land, I’m longing for you

And some day on thee I’ll stand

There my home shall be eternal

Beulah Land, Sweet Beulah Land