Mr. Tommy Edward Turner was born on November 24, 1935, in Pierce County, to Gussie Mae (Pate) and Wesley Turner; and transitioned on January 13, 2018, at Harborview Pierce County Nursing Home in Blackshear.  He was educated in the Pierce County Schools.  He was a member of Fourth Mount Olive Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years and was instrumental in the relocation of the church from the Milligan community to its current location.  He had membership stints in the Consolidated Men’s Club and Prince Hall #41 Masonic Lodge; and various other community and civic organizations.  He was employed by Seaboard Coastline Railroad, Gilman Paper Company; dabbled in farming, including raising livestock; and was the former owner of Big T Country Club.  His ambitious and entrepreneurial spirit led him to become founder and owner of TMT Trucking.

He was a father who invested much love, wisdom, and the needed discipline to help you succeed; and if you messed up, he was right there to rescue you.  This protective nature was not only for his children but for the children in the extended family, then stretching even further to the friends of his children.

Even in his days of declining health, he still had a desire to plant and share his vegetables; and often promised nursing home staff, patients, and even doctors to partake in the fruits of his labor.  One of his favorite things in later years was to ride out in the country and talk about his days as a boy growing up in the Milligan community and working on the James’ farm with his family.

In addition to his parents, Gussie Mae (Pate) and Wesley Turner, he was preceded in death by his brother Jeremiah Keaton and a sister Lucy Goodman.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife of 63 years, Mamie Britton Turner; children: Sheree (Michael) Benboe, Warner Robins, GA, Tommy Gregory (Johnnie) Turner and Yancy (Loretta) Turner, Lenexa, KS, Nora Turner Clark, Foster Turner, and Charis (Winston) Riddick, Mableton, GA, Swails (Dr. Jacqueline) Turner, Blackshear, GA, and Sandra Jackson, Lawrenceville, GA; grandchildren: Brittany, Eric (Kara), Thomas, Cearria (Rodney), Nicole (Ian), David III, Swails, Cecilee, D’Atra, Ian, Justin, Ronelle, Vontorrie, Jammal, Anissa, Adam, Aaron,  Eboni, Jordon, Maya, Foster II, Tyson, and Lucas;  thirteen great-grandchildren;  a sister: Katie Hall, Elizabeth, NJ; sisters-in-law: Paris Bryer, Milease Wells, and Barbara, Jacksonville, FL, Catherine Young and Marva Pinkney, Miami, FL, Elnora Twyne, Charlotte Simpson, Melvene Britton, Blackshear, GA, and Billye Britton, Woodstock, GA; brother-in-law: Carl (Mary) Britton, Monroe, GA; a godson, Isaac “Monty” (Abbey) Moses; special  nephews: Antwyne (Patrice) Harris and Brando Britton; special niece: Charita Akins; special cousins: Ray & Consuelo Lee, Isaac (Jackie) Moses, and Margaret (George) Holmes; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and  special friends.

He was many things to many people in his family, church, and community. To us, he was Husband, Daddy, Papa, Uncle Tom, “T”, and Cuz.  We love you, will miss you and will see you again in heaven.

Many thanks to Pastor Morris Pate and the Fourth Mount Olive Church family, Harborview Nursing Home, Waycross Health & Rehabilitation, and Dr. Brent Waters and staff.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Mrs. Mamie B. Turner or the American Diabetes Association in memory of Mr. Tommy E. Turner.

Visitation will be held from 5:00p.m.-7: 00 p.m Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, at the funeral home, 505 Ware St., Blackshear.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20th, from the Fourth Mount Olive Baptist Church, Rev. Morris Pate, Pastor will bring words of comfort.

Memorialization will be by Cremation.

The family is receiving friends at the home of his son and daughter in law Mr. Swails (Dr. Jacqueline) Turner Sr., of 6580 Clark Rd., Blackshear.

The cortege will also assemble at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the family home 526 Watson St, Blackshear.

Final and most sacred arrangements are entrusted to the professional care of Rainge Memorial Chapel, Inc.