Louisa Katherine Turner was born May 20, 1935, in Lebanon, Tennessee to the union of Bob and Tabitha Lee. Katherine departed this life on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at Life Care Center of Old Hickory Village.
She started learning about the Lord at an early age because her mother, Tabitha, took her children to church while they were young. They attended Pickett Chapel Episcopal Methodist Church in Lebanon, Tennessee. Katherine accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior as a teenager.
She started working at the age of at 12, caring for a family, taking care of their child, cleaning, and ironing. She attended Market Street Elementary School and Wilson County Training School where she received her high school diploma. Katherine also attended Tennessee State University.
Katherine was united in Holy Matrimony on October 26, 1957 to the love of her life, James L Turner. To this union, five children were born. After marrying James L. Turner, they moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1957.
She was employed with the United States Postal Service, and she worked as an instructor for Wesley United Methodist Day Care. She was employed with Ingalls Hospital for 10 years. Some of her other employments included: School District 147, 205 and 152 as a teacher’s aid in addition to various positions. Katherine later obtained her CNA certificate and began to care for private clients. She lived her life caring and helping people whether on her job, or in her Christian walk.
In 1969, James moved Katherine and the family to Harvey, Illinois. Katherine joined Wesley United Methodist Church in 1970 and began to raise her children in the fear of the Lord. In 1997, the three United Methodist Churches in Harvey joined together and became FWA. Katherine then moved her membership along with her children to First Wesley Academy (FWA) United Methodist Church. Their name later became Transformation United Methodist Church. Until she moved back home to Tennessee in 2021, she remained a faithful member of her beloved church.
Katherine was dedicated in her service to the Lord. Throughout her membership she demonstrated this dedication and service to the Lord by singing with the choir, teaching Sunday School and being the President of the United Methodist Women’s Organization. She decided to take classes to become a Lay Member in the Methodist Church and served many years in that capacity. She assisted her church each week with serving hot meals to the community. She was truly an example of being one of God’s servants.
Katherine was a servant leader in her community as well. She was an active member of ACTSO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technology, and Scientific Olympics), an organization that empowered our youth in the area of the arts. She traveled across the United States with the youth as a champion and as a chaperone. She was a member of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and BMCR-Black Methodist Church Renewal Organization.
Katherine was an example of how we should live our lives and taught us how to accept death graciously, especially those who are in Christ Jesus. Some of her favorite sayings were “Blessed by the Best,” “straight up,” “I love you more,” and “I’m still kickin’.”
Katherine was preceded in death by her husband James L. Turner, her father, Bob Lee, her mother, Tabitha Lee, her brothers; Willie Lee and Oliver David Catron; four brothers-in-law, Joe and Arthur Turner; Spencer Thomas and Willie Patton; four sisters-in-law: Lula Thomas, JoAnn Tibbs, Lena Hastings, and Mary Turner.
She leaves to mourn and cherish her memory, her five children: Vernon Turner of Harvey, IL; Kathy (Michael) McSwain of Chicago, IL; Meichelle Turner of Dallas, TX; Trina (Rick) White of Hermitage, TN; James E. Turner (JE) of Evansville, IN: three grandsons; Frank Vance Jr. of Dallas, TX; Broderick (BJ) White of Hermitage, TN; James E. Turner Jr. of Evansville, IN; four granddaughters: J’Nysia Turner, Jayla Turner and Jazlyn Turner of Evansville, IN; Keyonda McSwain of Chicago, IL; two great granddaughters: Morgan McSwain and Adriana McKinney of Chicago, IL: one great grandson, DaKari Vance of Dallas, TX: Goddaughter, Nicole Harrington of Harvey, IL; Godson, Lamont Brown of Tucson, AZ; brother, Fred (Ruth) Lee of Mt Juliet, TN; two sisters: Maggie Benson and Sallie Palmer of Lebanon, TN: five sisters- in- law; Joyce (Frank) Neal; Marshalene (Bob) Randle; Ellen Turner, all of Hermitage, TN; Melissa Rhodes and Lucy Patton of Lebanon, TN; four brothers- in-law; Bill (Ondra) of Murfreesboro, TN; Robert (Renee) Cartwright of Detroit, MI; Eric Turner of Hermitage, TN; Sherman Tibbs of Mount Juliet, TN: and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Please keep the Family in your prayers.
Visitation:
AUG 24. 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Neuble Monument Funeral Home, LLC
1330 Bluebird Road
Lebanon, TN 37087
Visitation:
AUG 25. 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Neuble Monument Funeral Home, LLC
1330 Bluebird Road
Lebanon, TN 37087
Service:
AUG 25. 12:00 PM
Neuble Monument Funeral Home, LLC
1330 Bluebird Road
Lebanon, TN 37087
https://www.neublemonumentfuneralhome.com
For more obituaries visit https://wilsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter
