Jack D. Turner

Jack’s life began in 1931, when he was born to Joseph Jefferson and Maude Marie (James) Turner at his family’s home in McClain, Mississippi. Raised in rural Mississippi, Jack attended Columbia High School in Columbia, Mississippi, graduating in 1951. Following high school, Jack served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1951 to 1954. During his Marine Corps service, Jack was stationed at Parris Island, South Carolina, for basic training; Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, as a postal clerk, with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division; and Quantico, Virginia. He also served aboard the USS Cambria, deployed by the Navy to the Mediterranean Sea for occupation duty, visiting Greece, Cyprus and other countries. In recognition of his Marine Corps service, Jack was promoted to second lieutenant. Jack and Libby were married, while Jack was in the Marine Corps, and they had two children born on Marine Corps bases.

Jack returned to Mississippi in 1954, after his Marine Corps service. He and his family lived on small farms in the rural communities and towns of Improve, Foxworth and Darbun, raising cows and growing vegetables. Jack supported his family, eventually numbering six, with two boys and two girls, primarily by operating a dozier, pushing stumps, clearing land and building ponds.

At age 33, Jack was led to follow the Lord and surrendered to preach. Jack was ordained and over the next forty years served as a Southern Baptist minister in Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. He initially attended bible college at the Baptist Bible Institute in Graceville, Florida. Jack then served for decades as the senior pastor of Blue Lake Baptist Church in Chipley, Florida; Open Bible Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida; First Baptist Church in Gibsonton, Florida; Robinson Springs Baptist Church in Millbrook, Alabama; and North Columbia Baptist Church in Columbia, Mississippi. Jack preached at other churches throughout his ministry and led numerous revivals. When he was not preaching, Jack was witnessing to others and visiting the sick and distressed. In his later years, Jack served as a senior pastor and taught Sunday School. Jack delighted in preaching, sharing the Word of God and leading people to accept Jesus Christ as their savior.

During a period of his life when he was not serving as a full-time pastor, Jack owned and operated a seafood market and restaurant, named The Fish Net, in Columbia, Mississippi. Jack also obtained his private pilot’s license in Columbia and flew Cessna airplanes as a pastime over several years.

In 2005, Jack and Libby moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where they enjoyed walking on the beach, watching sunsets and serving their local church. Jack worked as a maintenance supervisor and courier for Okaloosa County.

Jack finally retired with his wife, Libby, and moved to Madison, Mississippi in 2010. Jack and Libby became members of First Baptist Church Madison, in Madison, Mississippi, a place where Jack enjoyed worshiping the Lord, attending church services, prayer meetings and Sunday School, and visiting with the church staff and his cherished friends.

Jack is survived by his wife of 67 years, Elizabeth Kate (Terry); his four children, Joe M. Turner of Wallace, North Carolina; Tina E. Begley and her husband Steve of Ridgeland, Mississippi; Jack V. Turner and his wife Linda of Sandestin, Florida; and Jenny K. Turcotte and her husband Jim of Madison, Mississippi; his five grandchildren, Steven P. Begley and his wife Alex of Nashville, Tennessee; James C. Turcotte, Jr., and his wife Monika of Freiburg, Germany; Jason G. Turner of Gulfport, Mississippi; Megan T. Frame and her husband Patrick of Atlanta, Georgia; and Austin M. Turcotte of Madison, Mississippi. Jack outlived his parents, Joe and Maude, as well as his brother Joe and sister Sammie Autry.

Visitation will be held beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 10, 2018, at First Baptist Church Madison, 2100 Main Street, Madison, Mississippi, with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church. A graveside service will later be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia, Mississippi.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Missions Scholarship Fund of First Baptist Church Madison, 2100 Main Street, Madison, Mississippi 39110.