Noel Thomas Turlich, of Columbia, Mississippi, passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at the age of 72. He was born in Nairn, Louisiana to Frederick and Miriam Turlich as one of twelve children. Noel served our country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and has been a resident of Columbia for the past twenty-five years. He retired from Stringer’s Oil Field Service after twenty years employment. Noel was a life member of the Louisiana Lions League for Crippled Children and the Lions Eye Foundation. He enjoyed yardwork and sitting on the back porch with his wife watching the birds and deer in his yard. He was devoted to his family and loved the time spent with them and his precious dogs, Prissy, Sassy, and Max. Noel will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Audrey Guthrie; five brothers, Ricky Turlich, C.J. Turlich, Huey Turlich, Sonny Turlich, and Bert Turlich; and a step-son, Stuart Barnes. Noel is survived by his wife of 15 years, Lucille Turlich; three children, Stephanie Weeks (Matt), Rebecca Schrader, Tiffany Genella (Nick); five step-children, Danny Barnes (Janet), Janice Summers, Alice Wilkerson (Jim), Thomas Barnes (Rosa), and Karen Louis (Mike); three sisters, Freda Tinsley, Celina Armstrong, and Joy Daviep; two brothers, Marion Turlich (Carol) and Donald Turlich (Paula); twenty-six grandchildren, forty-one great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
The funeral service, officiated by Chaplain Mark McNair, will be at Colonial Funeral Home on Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 3:00pm. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00pm until service time. Noel will be laid to rest in Emmanuel Baptist Church Cemetery assisted by Tyler Barnes, Jacob Barnes, Hayden Brunney, Austin Brunney, David Scarborough, and Christian Spiers serving as pallbearers.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of the staff of Enhabit Hospice, especially the nurses and aids, who cared for and offered compassionate services to Noel and the family.
