Earnie Turner
(September 29, 1917 - February 23, 2011)
Ms Earnie Turner entered the earthly life September 29, 1917 one of eleven children born to the union of Edward and Stashia Ellen Harris-Turner in Southampton County, Virginia. Earnie moved to Northampton County in 1926 at the age of nine. She attended schools in both counties. At an early age, Earnie accepted Christ and joined African Baptist Church under the pasturage of Reverend W. B. Carrington. She was employed by G. L. Webster and as a cook for the Birdsnest School cafeteria. Earnie was married twice. She did not have children of her own; however, she raised her siblings after the passing of her mother, using her God given motherly skills. She was a caring, supportive and loving mother and grandmother to all. She also raised her nephew, Jack, as her very own. Earnie and her brother, Willie Turner, lived together and shared many happy years. Earnie, Willie, Lynwood and Jack planted a vegetable garden every year. Earnie loved her garden as much as she loved her flowers. She was a horticulturist until the end. Her seeds always yielded a big harvest whether vegetables, flowers or relationships. Her chickens and eggs were important to her. She sold them to anyone who wanted fresh country eggs. Her pound cakes were deliciously made with fresh country butter. Earnie’s home had flowers everywhere. She was known for her flowers. Thelma Peterson, an international watercolor artist, painted a large photo of Miss Earnie Turner that hung in an art gallery in Virginia Beach. Many copies of Earnie’s expression of love for her flowers hang in homes across the state of Virginia and other states in America. Earnie believed in God and she read her Bible daily thanking God for what he allowed her to accomplished on this earth. Her Bible was always within her reach. She knew the scriptures and quoted them before her meals. She was always thankful for what she had and for God who had given it to her. Earnie was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, Caldonia Turner, Martha Owens, Mary Press and Lucille Wilson; one brother, Sidney Turner. She will be missed and dearly remembered for her love by her two brothers, Lynwood and Willie Turner; three sisters, Hattie, Ellen and Edith and the son she never had, Jack (Ann), a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Sorrowfully, The Family