Jerry Gilbert Turner was born in Kennett, Missouri on April 12, 1937 to Frank and Evelyn Settlemoir Turner and passed from this life on January 14, 2021 at the White River Medical Center in Batesville, Arkansas.
On October 5, 1957 he married the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Rhodes. This union was blessed with three children, six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife Mary of the home in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; children, Perry Turner and Jeneta of Thayer, Missouri; Debbie Ball and Ralph of Cherokee Village, Arkansas; and Vickie Armstrong and Brad of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; grandchildren, Amanda Porter and Tony, Leanne Albritton and James, R. W. Ball and Heather, Jeremy Turner and Capri , Kelsey Hopper and Josh, and Payton Armstrong; great- grandchildren, Presley Porter, Colton Albritton, Anistyn Ball, Rhett Ball, Rayna Albritton, and Hudson Turner; siblings, Judy Smith, Pat Welch, Jan Wood and Andy; and numerous other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bob Turner.
After graduating from Mammoth Spring High School, Jerry went to work for Ark-Mo Power Co. with the sub-station crew in Blytheville, Arkansas. He worked his way up to lineman/serviceman and in 1961 transferred to the Mammoth Spring, Arkansas office where he retired after 40 years of service.
After moving to Mammoth Spring he joined the Mammoth Spring Fire Department and served for 26 years. The last 12 years he served as fire chief of the department.
He was a faithful member of the Welcome Hill Church of Christ, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.
Jerry was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed making a garden.
He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Graveside services will be held Sunday, January 17, 2021 at Riverside Cemetery, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas at 2:00 p.m., under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.
Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Children’s Home in Paragould, Arkansas at 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, Arkansas 72453 or the Gideon’s International at P.O. Box 404, Thayer, Missouri 65791.
January 16, 2021 @ 9:53 am
We mourn the loss of a good man in our community. Jerry was a good neighbor and friend who will also be sorely missed by his Welcome Hill church family. Our sympathy to his family & friends.
January 16, 2021 @ 2:20 pm
I will miss my uncle Jerry tremendously. I’ll never forget the years growing up in Mammoth Spring and living behind his house. I can’t recall a time he didn’t have that incredibly warm smile, and that cheerful attitude he always had. God bless you Jerry, till we meet again!
January 16, 2021 @ 4:33 pm
“ He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.”—No truer words could be written here.
Totally blessed by this man’s place in my life. Myself and my family will miss you, Uncle Jerry! Rest easy until we meet again.
January 16, 2021 @ 6:32 pm
He was a wonderful man and a great uncle with a wonderful smile.He will surely be missed by all.
January 16, 2021 @ 6:51 pm
Jerry was a true blessing to his family and friends. Gentle soul. What a great laugh! Thank you uncle Jerry . Love you you. Paul n Brenda
January 17, 2021 @ 8:59 pm
I learned to love Jerry and Mary through work. He will be missed. He was a wonderful man.