Nancy Brice Turner

Nancy Brice Turner, 92 of Salem, passed away peacefully on Sunday February 5, 2023. She was the beloved mother of four children and was married for 51 years to the late R. Melvin Turner. Born in Philadelphia to Willam Albert Brice and Callie Eugenia Jones Brice, she lived briefly in Maryland before moving with her family to Christiansburg and Salem, Virginia. After graduating from Andrew Lewis High School in 1948, Nancy met Melvin Turner and they were wed in 1951. In 1957 they built a home in Salem on the Boulevard, where they lived happily for 46 years. Nancy was a strong family leader and friend to many, and artfully balanced work, family and friends. She was a banker for many years, before and after raising children. She worked at banks in Christiansburg, Roanoke and Salem, and in 1981 was named Assistant Branch Manager of the Salem Main Street branch of Bank of Virginia. She went on to become a Private Banking Specialist working at the Signet headquarters in Roanoke and was recognized as a warm and engaging bank professional that knew her way around banking services and the details of interest rates and legal requirements. Nancy Turner was very generous with her time and spent countless hours with church, business, and community organizations. She was a president and treasurer of the Salem Chapter of the PEO sisterhood; which provides scholarships and supports young women attending colleges and universities. She was a second vice president and treasurer of the Roanoke Chapter of the American Banking Institute, a member of the Network of Professional Women, and Salem Junior Guild. Nancy loved people, and had a great sense of humor. She stayed close with her 5 sisters, “the Brice Girls”, throughout their lives. It was said that this was a family of “strong women!” Nancy adored St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salem and served as a Sunday School teacher as well as serving on the Altar Guild and other committees. In 1997, Nancy and Melvin “downsized” to a home in the Hidden Valley area where they loved playing golf and hosting Bridge Parties with their many friends. Nancy remained active and enjoyed her friends and travels after Melvin passed away. She is survived by her daughter Rebecca Turner (Marc Zussman), sons, Bryce (Nina), Thomas (Diane) and Robert (Dawn), and five grandchildren; Austin Tyler, Sara Turner, Ashley Dillon (Taylor), Emily Horton (Rob), and Jonathan Turner (Kristen).

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 8, 2023,  from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.at Lotz Funeral Home in Salem. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday February 9, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salem, Virginia. A graveside service will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Endowment Fund in Nancy’s memory. Donations to P.E.O. International are also appreciated and can be made at donations.peointernational.org