James was born December 5, 1941 in Hampton, Georgia to Pastor James C. and Pastor Emeritus Lillie R. Turner. He graduated from Park Central High School in Bluefield, WV. James was a former employee of Mason Dixon and AFG Glass Company. James was the owner and operator of Turner Paving and Sealing Inc. for over 40 years. In 2005, James was awarded the Tri-Cities Black Business Award by the New Vision for Youth Outreach. He also was a Minor League Baseball Player for the Bluefield Orioles.
James was a lifelong member of Mount Zion Tabernacle both in Chilhowie, VA and Kingsport, TN. He served as the President of the Men’s Ministry and a faithful singer of the Mount Zion Brotherhood.
He was preceded in death by his father: Pastor James c. Turner, his daughter: Nanette Carol Wilburn, his sister: Barbara Jo Turner, and his brother: Pastor Thomas R. Turner.
James is survived and celebrated by his lovely mother: Pastor Emeritus Lillie R Turner of Kingsport, TN. His wife of 46 years: Margaret Ann Goode-Turner; (2) sons: Elder James (NaRasha) Turner, Jr., Kingsport, TN; Thomas (Amy) Peguese of Murfreesboro, TN; (4) daughters: Sabrina Turner, Kingsport, TN; Regina Saunders, Riverdale, GA; Magdolyn (Dale) Hector, Northridge, CA; Kelly (Sulimon) Turner, Kingsport, TN; two brothers: Pastor Lester (Robyn) Turner, Marion, VA; Brady Turner, Columbus, OH; seven sisters: Mother Lelia (William) Latta, Columbus, OH; Ruby Gaylord, Morristown, NJ, Temple (Judge C. Al) McConnell of Toledo, OH; Dorothy Turner-Partridge, Columbus, OH; V. Susie Turner, Columbus, OH; Janet Parks, Kingsport, TN, and Lucy Turner, Martinsville, VA; five brother in laws: Clinton (Sylvia) Goode, Lizzel, GA; Bruce (Gladys) Goode, Clayton, NJ; Kenneth Goode, Charleston, SC; Howard (Cynthia) Goode, Jacksonville, FL; one sister in law: Shirley (George) Hawkins, Richmond, VA; (18) Grandchildren: Nikki, Joe, Michael, Marci, Shae, Derrick, Dale Jr., Justice, Ricky, Autumn, Imani, Lindsey, James III, Ayonna, Jaquan, Yahia, Michael, and Jamaal. (7) Great Grandchildren: My’yon, Jaya Amani, Ava, Amelia, Mateo, and Amariyah. A host of godchildren and dear friends: Terry and Jean Moore, Kingsport, TN; Nathan and Alma Blye, Kingsport, TN; and Orville & Beatrice Bond, Kingsport, TN; Special Friends: Lois Beatty, Kingsport, TN and Garfield Pierce, Kingsport, TN.
Brother James Turner often quoted, "Your arms are simply too short to box with God!"
The funeral service will be conducted from Central Baptist church, Monday June 27, 2016 at 1 pm. The family will receive friends from noon until the hour of service. Interment will follow at Holston View Cemetery, Weber City, Va.
