Nellie Mae Turner

Private graveside services for Mrs. Nellie (Nell) Mae (Upchurch) Turner were held on April 10, 2020 at Union Grove Cemetery with Bro. Jim Withers officiating and under the direction of Croley Funeral Home of Gladewater. Due to the national health crisis, a memorial service to honor the life of Nellie will be held at a later date. Online memorials and condolences can be made at www.croleyfh.net.

Mrs. Nellie Mae (Upchurch) Turner, 98, of Gladewater passed from this world into the loving arms of her savior on April 7, 2020 in her home in Gladewater with her precious daughter Brenda by her side. Nell was born on December 16, 1921 to the late Joseph Peter Upchurch and Lovie (Brock) Upchurch. Nell married Mr. O. L. Turner on December 6, 1958. Although they had no biological children, they raised Nell’s four children as though they had been their children together from the start. Nell had the heart and spirit of a saint. Always willing to give of herself to ensure others were taken care of. She was always gracious and kind to everyone she met.

Nell enjoyed cooking large meals for her family as she knew that is what would bring all of her loved ones together! Most all of her meals were made from scratch, which she always laughingly said she needed a big box of. She enjoyed working in her yard and beautifying the landscape with her parade of pink plastic flamingos she re-arranged quite frequently.

Nell loved her church, Grace Baptist, and was disappointed when she had to stop going because her physical condition started to decline. Bro. Withers and wife, Barbara, who visited her regularly throughout the last few years, have become very special people to her after taking the helm from former pastor and great friend, the late Bro. Earnest Hodge.

Nell is survived by her little sister, Margie Marie Barrow of Gladewater, daughter and primary caregiver, Brenda Kelly of Gladewater, son, Terry Turner of Gladewater, grandchildren, Kimberly Lively and husband Mark of Gladewater, Jody Wilkinson and wife Rene of Gladewater, Kara Boyles and husband Chris of Gladewater, Jared Turner and Jenna Turner both of Gladewater, 10 great-grandsons, 3 great-granddaughters, and four great-great grandchildren along with hosts of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Nell is preceded in death by her parents, her forever love, Mr. O. L. Turner, two of her children, Judy Hall and Randy Turner, and three grandsons, Jon Michael Wilkinson, Tony Lively, and Cody Cook.

The Turner family would like to give a special thank you to Texas Home Health Hospice, Ms. Cassandra Ford, NP, and nurse Jessica from the Hugman-Kent clinic in Gladewater for their kindness and guidance throughout Nell’s last months of life.

We know she is pain-free, walking on those streets of gold on her own two legs like she wanted to so badly in the last months of her life. She is catching up with the many family members and friends that have gone on before her. We are sure gonna miss her here on Earth and we are jealous of the sights, sounds, and feeling she has right now with the Lord. We are glad to know she is at peace.