Christine Turner

She graduated from high school in Japan, where she met the love of her life, Edgar Turner, in 1955 while he was serving in the U.S. Air Force. Before returning to the United States, Edgar promised he would come back for her—and he kept that promise. They were married in Japan on September 12, 1957.

After their marriage, Edgar brought Christine to the United States, where she proudly became a U.S. citizen and chose the name "Christine." When asked why she selected that name, she would smile and simply say, "Because I can pronounce it."

As a military family, Christine and Edgar lived in many places during his service in both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army. She devoted herself to raising her family as a homemaker before beginning a career as a seamstress at the Blue Bell Sewing Factory in Havelock, North Carolina, where she worked until her retirement.

Christine was determined and independent. At the age of 55, she accomplished a personal goal by earning her driver's license. She found joy in sewing, gardening, and preserving the fruits and vegetables she lovingly shared with family, friends, and neighbors. An exceptional cook, Christine was especially known for the delicious treats she baked each Christmas. Her homemade yeast rolls and tempura shrimp became cherished family favorites and were requested at many gatherings.

A woman of faith, Christine enjoyed attending church with her friends and loved singing. In 2020, as her health began to decline, she moved to Brighton Gardens of Raleigh Assisted Living. The challenges of COVID-19 and dementia greatly affected her health. In March 2026, when she required skilled nursing care, she became a resident of Croatan Ridge Nursing Home in Newport.

Christine was preceded in death by her parents, Masashige Yokoyama and Tomi Yokoyama; her beloved husband, Edgar Turner; her brothers, Hideo and Masao; and her sisters, Teiko, Kazuko, Nobuko, Masako, and Toshiko.

She leaves behind her loving family to cherish her memory: her son, Thomas "Tommy" Turner and his wife, Cathi, of Durham, North Carolina; her granddaughters, Meredith Barker and her husband, River, of Holly Springs, North Carolina, and Erica Turner-Smith and her husband, Curtis, of Cary, North Carolina; and her treasured great-grandchildren, Avery, River Jr., Kennedy, Kinsley, and Crew.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Forest Oaks Cemetery, 908 Lake Road, Havelock, North Carolina.