MR. GEORGE ARTHUR TURNER's Obituary
Humble Beginnings: To everything there is a season; and a time to every purpose under the heaven……Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
George Arthur Turner was born in Earle, Arkansas on April 10, 1930. He was the youngest of two children born to the union of Everleaner Stanton and Arthur Turner. He had one sister, Earsie, who was ten years his senior. He attended Saints Industrial School in Lexington, Mississippi (1945-1946) and graduated from Lincoln High School in Forrest City, Arkansas (1950). From 1950-1952, he attended AM&N College in Pine Bluff, Arkansas where he attained his Associates Degree. In September 1952, he married Helen Bernice Coleman, whom he had known since he was seven and she was five years of age. They finally came together when, as a confidant, the young and debonair George offered Helen a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on and the rest was history. They were a match made in heaven and loved each other deeply. George honored his wife at every occasion, lovingly referring to her as “mama” or “his Helen”. The couple left Arkansas and journeyed north to Detroit, Michigan where they started their family of three sons and two daughters. George was a man with a strong work ethic, doing whatever he needed to do to provide for his family. His first job was with Chevrolet General Motors in 1952. He worked there for twelve years before leaving to become an entrepreneur. In 1964, he trained as a driving instructor at Safety Driving School before opening the Rite-Way Driving School in 1966, in partnership with John H. Sheard. He was a successful business owner and operator until his retirement in 2010. Following retirement, he remained a true businessman; one would often find him conducting business affairs at the family dining room table, reading newspapers and banking statements, preparing for Sunday school lessons and writing notes on his legal notepad.
Reign of Life:Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new…..II Corinthians 5:17
George accepted Christ early in life under Bishop Minor Jones in Earle, Arkansas. He later attended Days Temple Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C) in Forrest City, Arkansas under the pastorate of Elder E.M. Day. In 1953, following his move to Detroit, he became a lifelong member of Bailey Temple C.O.G.I.C under the leadership of the late Bishop John Seth Bailey. After his death, he served faithfully under the late Pastor James Madison Johnson.Today, under the pastorate of Elder Randall Greenwood, George served as his advisor and mentor. He held a number of leadership positions including Superintendent of Sunday school, adult men’s class teacher and member of the deacon and trustee boards. He was a role model, counselor and friend providing guidance, wisdom and direction to many. Although he had no brothers, he would always refer to the church brethren and to his brother-in-laws as his brothers. George led by example in his faith, ensuring that his children were nurtured in the doctrine and teachings of holiness in the Church of God in Christ. He was an inspiration to many, a true man of God.
Precious Memories: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith……………. II Timothy 4:7
George and Helen, married for sixty-eight years, took many road trips with their children visiting family members in Forrest City, Pine Bluff and Chicago. He took great pride and joy in his family and instilled strong family values into his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In the summers, they would pile into a fifteen passenger van and drive for many hours from Detroit to visit family down in Arkansas, making lasting memories along the way. Family activities often revolved around the church - Vacation Bible School, church picnics, Purity Class, Boblo Island and Cedar Point. George and Helen were admired and respected by all and loved each other. They created a warm and inviting home with an open door policy, allowing many friends and a number of his sixteen nieces and nephews (who lovingly referred to him as “Uncle Piggy”) to live with them as they migrated from the south. Thanksgiving held a special place in his heart, as his entire extended family would gather together to share a meal and give thanks for what the Lord has done. He had a generous spirit, and would enjoy delivering food with his fellow brethren to anyone in need. George loved and cared about people beyond the surface. He was into the details, delving deeply with insightful questions about your life to truly understand how you were doing. The following questions describe a typical conversation: “How are you? How’s your family? How’s the job? What do you do there? How’s your boss?”..........and so on ……..“How’s your church? Where are you attending now? Who are you dating?” This is how he showed his love for others. George would always quote his mother in saying: “If you want to have friends, you must first show yourself to be friendly”. George was also known for his sense of humor and quick wit. He was always joking with people and loved to tease. You knew that if you were going to visit him, it was certain that you’d spend the time laughing as he teased you with long-standing inside jokes. Although he was an excellent orator, when asked to deliver a speech or give remarks, George would jokingly say: “When I stand up, my words sit down”. Even in his last days, he was still filled with laughter and joy. When we would administer his daily eye drops he would remind us to keep a steady hand, inducing laughter as he teased that they were “not nose drops, cheek drops, or eyebrow or eyelashes drops” but “eye drops”. George was a wonderful husband and father, friend, neighbor, brother, son, uncle, grandaddy and great-granddad.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I shall fear no evil for thou art with me…………...Psalm 23:4
On Monday, April 6, just four days before his 90th birthday, God sent an angel to lift George out of his frail body, ending his earthly journey, welcoming him into everlasting peace. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Everleaner Turner, his only sister Earsie Brooks and his eldest son and daughter, George Turner Jr. and Ava Denise Knox. Three weeks after his passing, his beloved Helen joined him in the Kingdom of Heaven. His love and memories remain in the hearts of his daughter, Valerie (Keith) Way, his sons, Derrick (Annette) Turner and Corey (Sharron) Turner, his daughter-in-love, Lynda Jordan; his grandsons, Sidney (TaLawnda) Bragg, Trevell Burton and Corey James Turner, his granddaughters, Radiance Turner, Stacie Turner, Ashley (Michael) Mason, Jade, Jasmine and Alyse Way; his great-grandchildren, Kori, Darius, Kameren and Kennedy Turner and Sebastian and Alivia Mason and a host of nieces and nephews, family and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of GEORGE?
What’s a lesson you learned from GEORGE?
Share a story where GEORGE's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with GEORGE you’ll never forget.
How did GEORGE make you smile?
