Elbert Conner Turner

Elbert Conner Turner, age 84, of Bassett, died Saturday, April 26, 2014, at his home. Born in Stanleytown April 15, 1930, he was a son of the late Cecil Elbert Turner and Gladys Elizabeth Conner Turner. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three infant sisters and infant daughter, Susan Turner. Elbert was a 1947 graduate of Bassett High School and received a Commercial Science degree from National Business College in Roanoke. He was a Staff Sergeant in the U. S. Marines, having been drafted during the Korean Conflict. He worked in the offices of W. & B. Chevrolet Company, Bassett, Commissioner of the Revenue, Henry County, Turner Brothers Lumber Company, Peoples Life Insurance as an agent and assistant manager, retiring from Stanley Furniture Company as warehouse and shipping supervisor in 1994 after 28 ½ years. Then he delivered flowers for Draper Flowers & Gifts for five years. He was a member of the Bassett Area Jaycees, serving as president, vice-president, secretary; Stanleytown Ruritan Club, serving as president for four years, vice-president, secretary; Bassett Kiwanis Club serving as secretary; Martinsville Ostomy Association, serving as president and vice-president was an active scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 74 in Stanleytown for 22 years, was a member of the Order of the Arrow, Woodbadge, was awarded Silver Beaver, also Cross and Flame from Stanleytown United Methodist Church for his work with the Scouts; retired from Scouting for 8 years and was asked to return in January, 2004, guiding Troop 74 for several more years. He served on the boards of Southern Area Agency on Aging, National College of Business & Technology (now American National) and Stanleytown Recreation Center. He was chairman of the Bassett Heritage Festival, 2002-2008, and helped to organize the Fieldale Heritage Festival. He attended Primitive Baptist churches. Elbert is survived by his wife of 56 years, Avis Ellen Carter Turner, his son, Mark Alan Turner and his wife Allyse of Ijamsville, MD, his daughter, Aleta Ellen Turner Wood and her husband James T. Wood, Jr. of Bassett, grandchildren, Triston Anthony Turner and Ashely Elizabeth Turner of MD, Chloe Jean-Ellen Wood, Bassett, Jeremy Thomas Wood and his wife Renee of Collinsville, and great-grandchildren, Kayla Brynn Wood and Nathan Thomas Wood of Collinsville. The funeral service will be held at 11 A.M. Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at Collins Funeral Home, Bassett, with Elders Carl Terry and Mark Terry officiating. Interment with full military rites provided by the Martinsville and Henry County Veterans Honor Guard will follow in Roselawn Burial Park. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Edwards Adult Day Center, 431 Commonwealth Blvd., Martinsville, VA 24112 or Southern Area Agency on Aging, Alzheimer’s Fund, 204 Cleveland Ave., Martinsville, VA 24112. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. Monday at Collins Funeral Home, Bassett, where online condolences may be made at: www.collinsmckeestonebassett.com.