Mary Alice Turner
Mary Alice West Turner, 98, of Salem, Virginia, peacefully entered eternal rest on Tuesday, December 24, 2024. Mary Alice was born July 6, 1926. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Mary Alice lived her life as a very loving, caring and giving person. She was a believer in Jesus Christ and encouraged her family to live a Godly life. Her devotion to her husband, Jimmie, was unwavering. Always an encouragement to him, Mary Alice served as his trusted advisor throughout his insurance career and was his compassionate caregiver through many health issues as his faithful wife. She nurtured and supported her sons, Jamie and Steven, from the time they were children and into adulthood. Mary Alice enjoyed spending time with grandsons, James and Christopher, at their home in Salem, Va., playing cards and games. She especially enjoyed time with her brothers, Frank, Richard and John, and sister Eura at the homeplace in Floyd County, affectionately called “Westwood.” Dear friends, Sharon and Randy Vinson were neighbors who became special friends for years and were like family to Mary Alice. Sharon and Mary Alice would have the time of their lives when shopping together!
Mary Alice was a graduate of Check High School, Class of 1942, where she was a star basketball player and won a medal for Most Outstanding Player. She was also a graduate of Lewis Gale School of Nursing, R.N., and the University of Virginia, Class of 1947. Mary Alice was a registered nurse at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Salem from 1947 through 1956. She was a devout Christian and very active in her church, Central United Methodist Church in Salem, where she served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. She lived for God and inspired her family to do the same, ultimately leading to the salvation of Steven as a young adult.
Mary Alice is preceded in death by her parents, Terry and Ima West; her beloved husband of 58 years, James “Jimmie” William Turner; son, James “Jamie” West Turner; brothers, Terry, John, Frank and Richard West; sister, Eura West Banner as well as several uncles and sisters in law.
Mary Alice is survived by her son, Steven Turner and his wife, Marycatherine; grandchildren, Christopher Turner and his wife, Erica, and James Turner and his mother, Helen; great grandson, Jacob Turner; step-grandson, Carter Cecil; as well as a host of nieces and nephews and nieces and nephews in law.
The family will welcome friends for a time of visitation on Saturday, January 4, 2024, in the chapel of John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home, Salem, beginning at 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Ken Nienke officiating. Interment immediately following in Sherwood Memorial Park, Salem.
The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to the staff of the Joseph C. Thomas Center at Richfield Living and her caregivers for their faithful service and compassionate care throughout her journey.
