Twila O. Turner

Twila Oneida Turner, age 88, died January 19, 2013 in Westminister. She was born in Stockton, Kansas on June 10, 1924 to Harry and Celia Turner and moved to Colorado at age 3. She attended primary and middle schools throughout the Denver area as the family moved many times. She graduated from West High School in Denver in 1942.

Twila worked a variety of jobs but for her career was employed by the Mountain Bell Company as a switchboard operator and then later as an administrative assistant for the company as they became AT&T. She retired in 1989.

On July 22, 1944, Twila married her high school sweetheart Gerald R Cummings. She wrote in her journal about learning from her future mother-in-law about the necessary etiquette and skills to be a navy officers wife. Their union resulted in two children, Russell W Cummings (deceased) and Phyllis L Freeman of Fort Collins. Jerry was killed in a plane crash in May 1951.

Twila married Luther J (Tom) Dildey in 1953. He had 3 children from a previous marriage and Twila embraced her role as step-mother to Douglas D Dildey, Charlene Root (James) of Arvada and Val J Dildey (Bernie) of Arvada. The combined family lived on a small farm in Arvada, raised cows, chickens, pigs as well as a large vegetable garden and berries. As a mother of school-aged children, Twila served many service groups with her kids including the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, PTA, 4-H, and Little League. Tom and Twila later divorced.

In 1968, Twila and her good friend, Jackie Belford, purchased a small mountain cabin between Blackhawk and Rollinsville. She loved the cabin, and together they added a deck, carport, flowerbeds, and tool shed. The cabin was a frequent destination for family and friends for summer potlucks and holiday celebrations. In 1973 they purchased the Nifty Nook, a small café and operated it as a successful business for 5 years.

Twila married Averill Turner in 1988. Twila and Ave enjoyed an active life in numerous Masonic organizations, traveling and relaxing at the cabin. They enjoyed cruises and traveling to visit family in New Mexico, Oregon, Washington and California. Averill died in 2008.

Twila joined the Arvada Chapter of Eastern Star in 1956. She served a Worthy Matron three times: 1965-66, 1989-90 and 1994-95. She was always an active member, either as an officer or being responsible for planning many large dinners, making special decorations or planning group tours and outings for the membership. She also served as Worthy Advisor to the Rainbow Girls. She was honored to hold the office of Grand Martha for Colorado for 1991-1992. Twila was recognized as a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star in 2006. She was also a member of Daughters of the Nile and Beauceant serving as Queen the Nile for 1999-2000 and President of Beauceant. She was an active participant in both the past Worthy Matrons and Patrons and Past Queens groups.

Twila is survived by her daughter Phyllis and sister Peggy A Conner (Floyd), sisters-in-law Rosemary Turner (Rich, deceased) Corrinne (Doyle, deceased) Cummings. Grandchildren: Brenda (Roger) Hamilton, James (Stacey) Cummings, Janell (Andrew) Watkins, Cale Cummings, Nathen (Charla) Cummings, Leslie (Cliff) Wells. As well as seven great grandchildren: Logan Hamilton, Carson Hamilton, Taela Wells, Athena Cummings, Cailey Cummings, Zachary Watkins, Ashlynn Cummings, Mason Watkins. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, son, brothers Teddy O Turner, Harry G. Turner, Robert V. Turner, Richard D. Turner, sister, Verla O Whitt.

Services will be at 2:00pm on Sat. at Crown Hill Mortuary, Pavilion of Reflection. Her ashes will rest with her husband,

Averill. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to AT&T Pioneers Disaster Relief Fund, 1801 California St. FL 44, Denver, CO 80202 or a charity of your choice.