Barbara James Perkins Turner

Barbara James Turner (Perkins) passed away on July 2, 2024 at Pine Meadows Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Bolivar, Tennessee. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Deacon E. W. (Ned) Turner, Jr. Her survivors include her five children: Mary Ellen Sellhorn, Dr. Ned Turner, III (Barbara), Richard Turner (Carolyn), Barbara Rudolph (Steve), and John Turner. She also leaves 16 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Barbara was one of eight children of A. H. D. (“Pa”) and Mary Perkins. They all had a love of fishing and casting, and later, she was a founding member of the Memphis Anglers Club female auxiliary, the Anglerettes. She met her future husband at a casting tournament at Rainbow Lake in Overton Park. Her four brothers and oldest son served in the military, and during World War II, she served as a nurses’ aide at the Kennedy Veterans’ Hospital.

Barbara and Ned were deeply involved in their Catholic religion and had leadership roles in the Cursillo movement. Together they chartered group trips to various pilgrimage sites in France, Portugal and Italy. Ned was part of the first Diaconate program for the Diocese of Memphis, and Barbara was an integral part of his service. They were both Eucharistic Ministers, and worked in the RCIA program at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

Barbara was an excellent seamstress, as well as being talented in all kinds of needlework, knitting and crocheting. She needlepointed coats of arms to present to Diocesan Bishops James Stafford, Daniel Buechlein and Terry Steib.

More than anything, family was the most important thing to Barbara. She was involved in her children’s scouting programs, taking on roles as Cub Scout Den Mother and Girl Scout cookie chairman. Her family often went camping and fishing, and as the children grew and started their own families, she was deeply involved with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was frequently cheering on the sidelines at soccer, football, and lacrosse games, karate tournaments, and in the audience at performances, not to mention providing transportation and babysitting whenever needed.

Visitation and reception were held from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland. A private interment followed.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Catholic Charities or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Thank you, Momma, for everything, always and everywhere!