Carole Johanna (Van Zale) Turner passed from death into eternal life on January 24, 2024, where she was welcomed by the waiting arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was born in Bay City, Michigan on June 1, 1939, to George and Iva Van Zale. In 1961, she married A. William (Bill) Turner. They lived in multiple states throughout their marriage and active involvement in their local church was important to them. For the past 25 years she lived in South Carolina and Georgia where she resided near many of her children and grandchildren. For a brief time, she volunteered at Miracle Hill Ministries in Greenville, South Carolina which provides services to persons experiencing homelessness and/or addictions. This ministry was near and dear to her heart as she supported this ministry for the rest of her life.
Known for her delicious baked goods and pies with the flakiest of crusts, her heart for missions, her status as a prayer warrior, and her passion for spending time in God's Word, she will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Carole's family asks that she not be remembered by the sadness of her passing but be remembered instead for the blessed hope offered through her salvation by grace through faith and for the happiness that she brought to others.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bill, her best friend in high school, Shelby Woods and dear brother-in-law, Dave Shewfelt. She is survived by her children, Joy (Andrew) Washburn, T.J. (Karin) Turner, George (Michelle) Turner, and Maxine Turner as well as her grandchildren, Tara (Kent) Martindale, Jared (Amelia) Turner, Susan Washburn, Johnny (Erica) Turner, Jana (Justin) Sandoval, Lauren (Walt) Hafner, Kyle (Julia) Turner, Mark (Rachael) Washburn, Corey Turner, and David (Mary) Turner. She has 19 great-grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by her sisters, Elaine Shewfelt, and Martha (Randy) Bright, brother-in laws, Jonathan (Gidget) Turner, and David Turner, along with many nieces and nephews.
The family celebrated the life of Carole Turner in a private service at Lebanon Baptist Church in Roswell, Georgia. A private family interment will be held in Bay City, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Carole's name to Miracle Hill Ministries at 490 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville, SC 29607 ( https://miraclehill.org/give/ ) or Friends of Israel ( https://www.foi.org/get-involved/support-the-work/ )