Obituary of James Witcher Turner (1919-2007)

James Witcher Turner
Sep 05, 2007 - 07:45:55 am CDT

Pelham - James Witcher Turner, 88, of 605 Red Marshall Road, Pelham,
NC died Sunday, September 2, 2007 in the Annie Penn Hospital,
Reidsville, NC.

He was born on April 24, 1919 in Norfolk, VA, the son of the late
Robert Edwin Turner and Lucille Millner Turner. He moved to Pelham, NC
in 1932 and was a graduate of George Washington High School, attended
Emory University and Shrivingham American University in Swindon, England.

In 1942, he was employed in management training with Carter Fabrics
Corp. in South Boston, VA. In 1944 he left to serve his country in
World War 11 in the United States Army as a combat infantryman and
received battle stars for the Rhine River crossing and for combat in
central Germany. In 1945 he resumed his job with Carter Fabrics Corp.
which at the time merged with J P Stephens Co. where he continued to
be employed for 44 years until retiring in 1984 as Operation Manager
for a division of the company. During his years with the company, he
was relocated several times working in South Boston, Great Falls, SC,
Greensboro, NC and finally the New York City corporate office where he
worked for 21 years.

As a young man he was active in civic affairs and served as President
of the South Boston Junior Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of the
Virginia State Jaycees, President of the Great Falls SC Jaycees, and
Vice President of the South Carolina State Jaycees.

He was an avid tennis player and was a member of the Stratford Tennis
Club and the Ballou Park Hackers until he was 83. He was an active
member of the Pelham United Methodist Church and served on numerous
committees and served as chairman of the Administrative Council for 15
years. He was supportive of the Pelham Community Center and served
many years as Vice President. He was appointed to the Caswell County
Committee for service to the elderly which led to his serving on a
seven county state regional committee for service to the elderly. He
helped establish Caswell County's first qualified Senior Center in
Yanceyville.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by a brother, Edwin
Turner. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Nancy Fitzgerald
Turner of the home; three sons, Dr. James Witcher Turner, Jr. of
Oakton, Virginia, Dudley Pierce Turner of Warren, Vermont, and Michael
Vincent Turner of Dedham, Massachusetts; eight grandchildren and 4
great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 7, 2007 at 11:00 am
from Pelham United Methodist Church with the Reverend Larry Durham
officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 6, 2007 at
Townes Funeral Home from 7:00 until 8:30 pm and at other times will be
at the residence.

The family respectfully suggests that memorials may be sent to the
Pelham United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 82, 594 Red Marshall Road,
Pelham, NC 27311.

Townes Funeral Home, 215 West Main Street, Danville is in charge of
funeral arrangements.

Source: The Caswell Messenger, 5 September 2007.