Mrs. Mona Turner passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2013. At the time of her death she resided at Broadmore Assisted Living in Bristol, Tenn. Mrs. Turner was born on Sept. 26, 1915, in Helena, Okla., to the late Rose and Alva Markle. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Floyd V. Turner; her daughter, Cheryl; and a sister, Claudia Remington of Kansas City, Mo. She is survived by her sister, Wanda Ferguson of Camdenton, Mo.; brother, Al Markle of Kansas City; her daughter, Vicki Fleenor and husband, Paul of Bristol, Va.; son, John Turner and wife, Chris of Boone, N.C.; four grandchildren, Kathryn Alsbrook of Bristol, Tenn., David Ringley of Bristol, Va., Erin Turner of New York City and Eric Turner of Hilton Head Island, S.C.; two step-grandchildren, Rachel Fleenor of Abingdon, Va., and Justin Fleenor of Bristol Va.; two great-grandchildren, Eden and Anna Alsbrook of Bristol, Tenn.; and one step-great-grandchild, Brook Keesse of Abingdon, Va. Mrs. Turner attended high school in Kansas City where she distinguished herself as a student athlete lettering in multiple sports. She remained a lifelong sports fan, particularly of the Atlanta Braves and played tennis until well into her senior years. Family, Faith and music severed as the foundation of a life of service and song that touched and influenced family, friends, and the faith and secular communities of which she was a member. She was a gifted and much sought after singer. Over several decades, in various locales, her soprano solos filled sanctuaries and enhanced the quality of numerous community concerts and productions. In 1956, the Turners moved to Bristol, Va., from Nashville, Tenn., when Dr. Turner accepted the position of President of Virginia Intermont College, a position he held until 1979. For over two decades, Mrs. Turner devoted her talents and energy to nurturing her family and complementing Dr. Turner's successful tenure as President of Virginia Intermont College. Her unwavering commitment to the students of VI was rewarded over the years by numerous former students remaining in touch with her. She was always touched and gratified by the efforts of alumnae to maintain contact with her. A resident of Bristol for over five decades, she expressed her faith through action both as a member of the First Baptist Church and as an active volunteer in the community, including volunteering at Bristol Regional Medical Center for a number of years. The family extends its gratitude to the staff of Broadmore Assisted Living for the compassionate, competent care provided for Mrs. Turner over the last four years of her life and to the staff of Hospice for the care she received in her final weeks. The funeral service will be conducted at 3 p.m., Sunday, June 16, 2013, at Mountain View Mausoleum Chapel with Dr. Robert Rainwater officiating. The family will receive friends from 2-3 p.m., Sunday at the mausoleum chapel prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to The Ministry Mall, c/o First Baptist Church, or the Joanne Feazell Music Scholarship Fund, c/o First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 116, Bristol, VA 24203. Email condolences may be sent to the family at [email protected] Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN (423) 989-4800 is serving the family of Mrs. Turner.
Published in Bristol Herald Courier on June 13, 2013