Delbert Lee Turner, Jr.

MANTACHIE – Delbert Lee Turner, Jr. departed this earthly life for his eternal home on July 12, 2023, at the age of 93, with his wife and children by his side.  Delbert, who was also known as “Junior”, was born to Delbert Lee Turner, Sr., and Eunie Cox Turner on September 26, 1929, at home on Euclatubba Road in Northeast Mississippi, and lived his entire life in Lee County and Itawamba County, until moving to Harding Place in Searcy, Arkansas in 2019.

Delbert married the love of his life, Mary Ann Smith, on January 8, 1954, and together they raised four daughters.  He was a wonderful example of what a Christian father should be, guiding and inspiring his girls, with patience, perseverance, and purpose, to love the Lord, love His church, love His word, and love others.

Delbert retired from the Mississippi National Guard after 38 years of service, but his true vocation was serving the Lord Jesus Christ.  He was a beloved Bible class teacher, and his mission in life was to lead as many people as possible to Christ, which he did with a gentle and humble spirit.

Delbert is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary Ann Smith Turner; his daughters, Cheryl Turner Harsin (Curry), Christi Turner Reeves (Randy), Susan Turner Dismuke (Charles), and Juli Turner Orr; and his sister, Sarah Turner Swindle (Paul).   He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kelly Harsin Odell (Joel), Rex Harsin (Amaris), Jake Reeves (Elizabeth), Cathryn Reeves Hoge (Alex), Hannah Hughes Roble (Victor), Kimberly Dismuke Dorris (David), Chaney Hughes Medley (Luke), Kaylee Dismuke Morgan (James), Sophie Hughes Myers (Ean), Olivia Hughes, Meredith Orr, and Brooklynn Orr; 18 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins whom he loved dearly.

Delbert was preceded in death by his parents, Delbert Turner, Sr., and Eunie Turner; his sister, Blanche Turner Chamblee and her husband, Marvin; and one great-granddaughter, Keren Rose Odell.

A celebration of Delbert’s life will take place at 6:00 p.m. on July 20, 2023, at the West Main Church of Christ in Tupelo, Mississippi, with visitation prior to the service beginning at 4:30 p.m. Private burial will be in the Center Star Cemetery in Mantachie. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home of Mantachie is entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Jarrell Mission Fund, P.O. Box 277, Fulton, MS 38843; or Arkansas Hospice Foundation, 410 North Apple Street, Searcy, AR 72143.

The family wishes to acknowledge the compassionate and loving care given to Delbert by Southern Caregivers, Cornerstone Caregiving, Arkansas Hospice, and the staff and residents of Harding Place, as well as by Dr. Brad Crosswhite who provided medical care for both Delbert and Mary Ann while they were living in Mississippi.

Delbert’s girls wish to acknowledge their mother’s lifelong devotion to their dad – for loving him completely and unconditionally, for encouraging him and being his biggest supporter, and always being ready and willing to lend a helping hand in whatever endeavor he undertook – which made it possible for him to serve the Lord in so many ways all of his life; and especially for taking such good care of him in the latter years when his health began to decline.  She was truly his ruby of great worth. Proverbs 31:10-12

Cheryl, Susan, and Juli also wish to acknowledge the exceptional day-to-day care given to their parents by Christi and Randy Reeves. We love you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your happy willingness to move Mom and Dad to Searcy to take care of them there.

Condolences may be shared with the Turner family at www.mcneecemorrisfuneralhome.com.

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