Cecil Turner

Cecil Alexander Turner, affectionately called Uncle Cecili was a native of Jamaica. He was born in the picturesque parish of Manchester. He was the sixth of seven sons born to Cyril and Anita Turner and the brother to an older sister from his father side. Uncle Cecil was just three years old, when his father passed away, leaving his mother, Anita, to raise seven boys on her own. This she did with strength and determination.

Uncle Cecil received his early education from the Castle Primary School in Manchester, Jamaica. At a young age, he displayed remarkable skills working with his hands. He had the ability to create and fix almost anything he puts his hand to in the carpentry field. Seeing his potential to become a carpenter, his mother arranged for him to receive training, as an apprentice, in the field of carpentry. This training laid the foundation for what would become Uncle Cecil’s lifelong, highly skilled trade. In addition to carpentry, Uncle Cecil learned and was proficient in masonry, painting, plumbing, and gardening. He took pride in a job well done.

Uncle Cecil immigrated to the United Kingdom in 1962. There he met and married Amy Johnson. Their union was blessed with three children: Audrey, Mark, and Marcia. Having a natural aptitude for business, Uncle Cecil partnered with one of his brothers and operated their own masonry business in Derby, England.

Uncle Cecil desire for greener pastures led him and his family to immigrate to the United States of America in 1973. There he worked with the New York Carpenters Union for 30 years. During this time, he rose to the position of foreman and served in that capacity for many years.

Uncle Cecil embraced the Seventh Day Adventist message and was baptized in 1978, at the City Tabernacle Seventh Day Adventist Church in New York City. There, he served faithfully as a Deacon. He also served in the Personal Ministries, and Pathfinders departments. In 2001 Uncle Cecil and his wife relocated to Ocala, Florida. There he became a beloved member of the Silver Springs Shores Seventh-day Adventist Church, now known as Hope Springs Seventh-day Adventist Church. He served faithfully as a Deacon. He also served in the Sabbath School, Community Services, and Treasury Departments.

Uncle Cecil was a man of deep compassion: He was caring, generous, thoughtful, and supportive. He gave freely of his time, talents, and resources to advance God’s kingdom. Together with his beloved wife, Amy, he was devoted to service, to his family, to his church family, and friends. Most important, he was a devoted servant of the living God. This spirit of service leadership continued

even after Amy’s passing. Uncle Cecil guidance, generosity, and kindness knew no bounds. He was deeply loved.

Uncle Cecil's social life was filled with hospitality, and the joy of sharing time with family and friends. He loved cooking, especially baking sweet potato pudding, gardening, and traveling, His travels took him to Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.

Uncle Cecil was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, granduncle, cousin, brother-in-law, father-in-law, and a dear friend to many.

On January 9, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, Uncle Cecil passed away peacefully at his home. Although he will be deeply missed, we look forward with joyful anticipation to the blessed hope of the resurrection. Uncle Cecil was preceded in death by his wife, Amy, siblings: Sue, Lascelles, Kenneth, Nehemiah, Gustavius, and Winston. He leaves to cherish his memory his children Audrey, Mark, and Marcia; grandchildren Michelle, Mya, and Tahzjai; brother Frederick Turner and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and friends.

“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.” — Revelation 14: