Robert Charles Turner

Abingdon, Va. 

Robert Charles Turner, age 79, of Abingdon, Virginia, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, May 26, 2019 at Pikeville Medical Center in Pikeville, Kentucky.  He was born on December 21, 1939, in Dickenson County, Virginia to the late Claude W. and Ernestene Turner. 

Robert grew up in Dickenson County, Virginia, and moved to Washington, D.C. in 1958 and married the love of his life, Shirley Epling, in 1960.  He and his wife later moved to Abingdon, Virginia in 1968 to raise a family.  He spent the majority of his career in law enforcement, starting with the Abingdon Police Department and ending with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office after 32 years of service, where he retired as Captain.  He was a devoted member of Pleasant View United Methodist Church, where he served as an usher and an active member of The JOY Group and the Fellowship Sunday School Class.  He was also a long-time member of the Abingdon Masonic Lodge No. 48. 

He spent a lifetime taking care of his family and giving to others. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife of 59 years.  He genuinely loved being a father to his son. He took great pride in being a grandfather to his two grandsons and being a great-grandfather to his two great-grandsons.   In his heart, his family was his greatest joy in life.  

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, sister Jerry Ratcliff, brother-in-law Wayne Cochran, and infant brother Jerry Neal Turner.  He is survived by his wife, Shirley Turner; son Scott (Teresa) Turner of Abingdon, Virginia; two grandsons:  David (Jamie) Turner of Knoxville, Tennessee and Derek Turner (Jess Astacio) of Johnson City, Tennessee; two great-grandsons:  Carter and Caden Turner of Knoxville, Tennessee.  He is also survived by three brothers:  Caroll (Barbara) Turner; Farrell (Bonnie) Turner; Claude Jr.; one sister Loretta Cochran; a brother-in-law Jerry Ratcliff; and many nieces and nephews.  

A celebration of Robert Turner’s life will be conducted at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at Pleasant View United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Dale Gilbert and Rev. Barbara Farmer officiating. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 4-6 p.m. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, May 29 2019, at Forest Hills Memory Gardens in Abingdon, Virginia at 11:00 a.m. Casket bearers will be David Turner, Derek Turner, Michael Turner, Bobby Allen, Ralph Baisden and Gary Bartley. Honorary bearers will be members of the Fellowship Sunday School Class.

A procession to the cemetery will leave the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service at 10: 40 AM on Wednesday, May 29, 2019.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital @StJude.org or 262 Danny thomas Place; memphis, TN 38105 

Those wishing to share memories and express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com.  Robert Turner and his family are in the care of Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia  24210 (276-623-2700).