Robert Edward Turner, June 7, 2009
09-28-2009PINE BLUFF
Robert Edward Turner, 77, of Pine Bluff, passed away June 7 at Arkansas Hospice, St. Vincent Doctors Hospital in Little Rock, after a valiant fight against cancer.
He was a United Methodist minister who served as pastor of Humphrey United Methodist Church and most recently was pastor of Traskwood UMC and Ebenezer UMC in Tull.
Turner was born in Morrilton and reared in Perry County. He graduated from Watson Chapel High School, and later in life served as superintendent of the Watson Chapel School District.
He also served in the U.S. Navy and ultimately earned his doctorate in educational administration from what is now the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
His parents, Baxter Elam Turner and Alma Swope Turner, preceded him in death. He is survived by his two daughters Robbin Turner Byrd and her husband, Ron, of Bentonville; and Ashley Turner of White Hall; and his son, Rhett Turner of White Hall.
He is also survived by his two sisters, Ann Rawls and Barbara Jean Turner of Pine Bluff; one grandson, Bradley Turner Byrd of Bentonville; his niece and her family.
The family requests memorials be made to The Dr. Robert E. Turner Scholarship Fund, c/o Simmons First National Bank, 501 S. Main St., Pine Bluff. 71601; or to Arkansas Hospice, c/o St. Vincent Doctors Hospital, 6101 St. Vincent Circle. Little Rock. 72205.
Funeral services were held June 10 in the chapel of Ralph Robinson and Son. Burial with military honors followed in Memorial Park Cemetery.
