Jewell Joshua Turner, Jr.

Jewell Joshua Turner, Jr., of Warthen, Georgia passed away on Monday, September 14, 2015 at the age of 76.

Mr. Turner, a seventh generation Georgian, was born on January 12, 1939 at the Rawlings Sanitarium to Jewell Joshua Turner and Bess Warthen Turner of Warthen. Mr. Turner is survived by his wife of 54 years, the former Lynda Ann Colston of Wrightsville, GA and their three children Annice Turner Peterman and her husband, Keith of Greenville, SC, Glynn C. Turner of Warthen and Lesley Turner Dubin and her husband, Gary of Sacramento, CA., a sister, Elizabeth Turner Wolfe and her husband Pat of Warthen.

Mr. Turner graduated from Sandersville High School in 1957. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Georgia in 1969, he was a social worker at Central State Hospital. He went on to attend Tulane University where in 1971 he received his Master of Arts.

An entrepreneur owning and managing Turner Merchandise, he also worked as a real estate agent and appraiser. Later he and wife Lynda, owned and operated Karol’s Gift Shop from 1991 until 2011.

Devoted to his community, he showed a love of history by being a charter member of the Washington County Historical Society. He was Vice-President of the organization in years 1981-1982 and was on the board of directors of the Society for two terms. Thru his hard work and determination, Warthen was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. He was also an active member of The First Baptist Church of Sandersville, GA, the Washington County Community Concert Association, and a founding member of the Warthen Volunteer Fire Department. He was honored by being named the Washington County Man of the Year in 1977.

Mr. Turner served on the Washington Electric Membership Board from 1987 until 2010. He served on the Georgia EMC Board for part of those years and in 2002 was elected Vice-Chairman, then elected Chairman in 2004.

Jewell had many lifelong friends and was a 20 year member of the racing club. Each week for 40 years the supper club would convene together first at McKinney’s Pond later switching to Colemans’s Lake, both in Midville, and lately at Chop’s in Milledgeville.

Jewell loved to travel and last year was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of traveling to see the ancient Roman Ruins of Pompeii. He described the trip as “One of a Lifetime.”

A graveside memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday September 20 in the Warthen Family Cemetery in Warthen. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to the Warthen Family Cemetery Fund, c/o The Geo. D. Warthen Bank at 216 North Harris St., Sandersville, GA 31082.

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.