Ruth J. Turner

RUTH J TURNER, age 100, of Florence, SC, died July 6, 2021.A funeral service will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church on Saturday, July 10th, at 2:00 PM.Entombment will follow at Mount Hope Mausoleum and the family will receive friends at Mount Hope Mausoleum Chapel. She was preceded in death by her late husband, James Ray Turner; parents, Hugh Johnson, Mary Johnson, Grace Bagnal Johnson; sisters, Helen Johnson, Martha Dell Higgins; brothers, Donald Johnson and Charles Johnson. Surviving children: Jim Turner (Jack), Denise Wood (Paul), Lynn Turner, Ken Turner (Margaret). Grandchildren: Carrie Armstrong (Mark), Philip Turner (Emily Ann), Sloan Dozier (Dustin), Tina Chester (Kemp) and Larry Wood. Great Grandchildren: Armstrong family (Addison, Barrett, Moriah), Turner family (Manning, Wyatt, Sally), Dozier family (Zion, Triumphant, Noah), Chester Family (Josh (Lauren), Hannah, Bradley). Great Great Grandchildren: Maddison. Of course it’s impossible to mention all the nieces, nephews, and cousins who had a special place in her heart. Mom was born in Wilson, SC in 1920 to Mary Ruth and Robert Hugh Johnson.She graduated from Greeleyville High School and received her RN degree in nursing in 1942 from the School of Nursing at McLeod Infirmary. Mom was a lifetime church member. She grew up in Union United Methodist Church in Wilson, SC.After marrying Ray, she became a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Florence, SC where she taught preschoolers and led the missions “Sunbeam” program for many, many years.She loved the ladies of the Hazel Hatchell Sunday School Class. Church was the center of her life and many would say that Ruth was there every time the doors were opened. Mom was the epitome of hospitality.She never met a stranger and made everyone feel welcomed.She excelled in cooking, sewing, and gardening.She took special pride in her flower garden and often contributed to the floral arrangements at church. She was also known for sending cards. Over her lifetime, she likely sent cards to thousands of people to let them know how much she loved them. Mom loved God’s Word and her Bibles have become prayer journals over the years. Her children and grandchildren will forever remember her as the “godly” woman of Proverbs 31. We will always be marked by her gracious spirit, her love of Jesus, and her unconditional love for each one of us.We will forever “rise and call her blessed.” We are grateful for the many caregivers who have loved our mom over the past years as her health declined, especially Charlene, Wanda, Fenda, Rhonda, Gloria, and Ruth Swinson who has been a caregiver with our family for many years, caring for both our dad and mom. We thank each of them for loving our mom as their own. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, 306 W Cherokee Road, Florence, SC 29501 or Union United Methodist Church, 2524 Nesbitt Road, Manning, SC 29102.