Contributions to the tribute of Magdalyn Smith Turner

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Connie Wren posted a condolence

Friday, December 22, 2023

In Loving Memory of Magdalyn Smith Turner May 05, 1932 – December 16, 2023 My name is Connie Wren and I am proud to be the niece of Magdalyn Smith Turner. My mother, Doris Mildred Gray was one of her sisters. It is with a sad heart that my husband and I could not attend the funeral today for health reasons. I was offered the opportunity to write something to be read at the service, so the following words are “God directed” from my heart. May they be used to give comfort and encouragement to Uncle Jerry and all the family at this difficult time. My Mother, Doris passed away March 2, 2022. She is now reunited in heaven with the love of her life and husband of 67 years, my Daddy. I miss them beyond measure and think about them everyday. As an only child, the void that is left in my heart is huge. The grief process is just that…a process with no timetable. I am expressing this to make a point that God truly helps us with the loss and the human process of death. In these months of my grief concerning my parents, I have learned a valuable lesson necessary to apply to my heart and mind daily. “PRECIOUS MEMORIES” are my sustaining source of comfort and help me realize the influence and impact my parents had upon my life. The loving home they provided and the nurturing atmosphere to grow up in was a blessing beyond words. Memories are a gift from God to be sorted through in our minds so we can send the true, uplifting ones to the center of our hearts at a time of the loss of our loved ones. I have learned to filter the unpleasant circumstances and situations of life that comes from being imperfect people, as we all are. We must cling to those happy, loving times as family, knowing that God can use them for the comfort and encouragement only He can give us. 1 The words of the song “Precious Memories” speaks of the grief and mourning the human heart experiences. I think the words are appropriate to share for this moment in time. Precious memories, how they linger; how they ever flood my soul. In the stillness of the midnight, Precious sacred scenes unfold. Precious father, loving mother; fly across the lonely years. And old home scenes, of my childhood, In fond memory appears. Since the news of Aunt Mag’s passing, I have been flooded deep in my soul with memories of her. Some I would like to share with you today. My Mother spent many years dealing with dementia as others in the family also experienced. She always recognized and responded to me but the communication of expressing herself was gone. I missed that Mother/Daughter relationship so deeply. God orchestrated many times of talking to Aunt Mag during these hard years. I still vividly remember her words on the phone in her sweet, unique voice, “Hey, Shug!” I knew immediately I was in for a precious conversation filled with comfort and encouragement. She always wanted an update on my Mother first, then proceeded to ask how I was doing. Our talks were on a general subject level first, then family news, and sometimes Smith family history. The Smith family history always included stories about my grandparents that were interesting and informative. Katie, my grandmother, was quiet and reserved but very loving in her spirit. John, my grandfather, was a stern man, who loved to tell stories about his past. They were parents that gave their children all the best they had to offer. As in every family, circumstances & situations were present but blessings and family get-togethers were celebrated with joy! That history helped me know my Mother’s background in a more understanding way. I know it helped Aunt Mag to appreciate both her past and present blessings as we talked in-depth about LIFE! 2 Aunt Mag was always eager to talk about the love and care Uncle Jerry showed to her each day. His delight to cook their meals and the favorite foods she liked was appreciated. They loved each other! She would give updates on their children as well as grandchildren, always expressing proud moments in much detail. Sometimes she would send me long, type-written letters that I knew she poured her happiness and blessings into every word. I have many of those letters and sweet cards in my treasure box today. I am thankful for those precious phone calls, letters, and cards I received from Aunt Mag over the years. They ministered to me at a time I needed her and what she had to pour out on my life! Today, those memories flood MY SOUL and even through my tears.. they give me great comfort. As the words of the song says…. they will linger and flood my soul in the special, tender places of my heart. I’m brought to another precious memory called to my attention by my husband, Paul. He was Pastor at a church in North Alabama for a time in the early 80”s. We were struggling financially but knew God would take care of us so we left it only with Him in prayer. One day, in the mail was the most precious card from Aunt Mag, desiring to encourage us with her sweet words as well as including a check as a love offering toward us. It meant so much because God had orchestrated the timing from someone very special to our hearts. We were brought to tears that day. Precious memories, how they linger……I must close by expressing this very important part of Aunt Mag’s life. During our phone calls, it was very common to talk about the Lord and our church life…mine and hers. She would always fill me in on the opportunities God had given her to teach or speak at her church. Any time she could serve, it was special to her. She so enjoyed the close fellowship of fellow believers and the comfort she had to express what God was doing in her life and the life of her family. 3 Sometimes on the phone, we would share “special heart prayer needs” with each other. That was when I realized what a God-given relationship I was experiencing with Aunt Mag. I have often thought how God ties our “heart strings” together with others through our love for HIM! Many times, we would close our talks with a word of prayer, lifting our blessings and burdens to God knowing He would answer according to His Will. Thanking Him most of all for His love and the salvation Aunt Mag and I shared through His Son, Jesus Christ. I know I will see my parents again in heaven one day and will be with them forever. They both had that same salvation experience applied to their hearts which God said would result in an eternal home with Him. I will delight in seeing Aunt Mag again as well, since I know the precious time and memories I experienced with her truly spoke of her salvation experience. I love you, Aunt Mag, for your touch upon my life. My precious, Aunt Mag would want all to know what was the most important decision she ever made in her life….to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She resides in His presence today. For all eternity! It’s not about a religion...it’s about a relationship. Our destiny is our own personal choice. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 Penned by Connie Wren 12/21/23 4

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Rachel Bevins posted a condolence

Friday, December 22, 2023

Magdalyn, Maggie, Mag, Grandma, Granny-ma, Granny, Nanny, Nan. She went by many names, each representing her special bond with the people who called her by them. Though what she was called changed over the years, her identity remained steadfast. Always giving, patient, and kind. Nan opened her heart and her home to those in need, whether it be long-haired hippies down on their luck, the Golden Girls down the street, or a rebellious grandchild or two seeking refuge from time to time. She kept the house warm and filled with Nan-fries made with love. And Nan-tea, sweetened with hugs and kisses (and more than a few cups of sugar). She listened without judgement, prompted introspection with thoughtful questions, and sought to support rather than problem solve. Her gentle way made her a wonderful youth minister at the Sunday School and was a constant inspiration to me throughout my life. One particularly impactful encounter transpired when I was a small child. Full of spit and vinegar, my mis-directed rage (over something so miniscule I can’t remember) led me to exclaim the painful and untrue words “I hate you, Nan.” She responded by calmly wiping my tears and pulling me in close. She gave me a hug and a kiss and said “Don’t worry, dear. I love you enough for the both of us.” My disposition instantly changed, not just for the time being, but forever after. In the challenging world in which we live, full of rancor and division, we could all use some of Nan’s compassion. To respond not with anger, hurt, or retaliation, but with exponential love, steadfast, and true. That was her gift. We have all been so fortunate to have been touched by Nan’s grace. She will live forever in my heart and will be dearly missed. Thank you. Your granddaughter, Rachel

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Dottie Dinsmore posted a condolence

Thursday, December 21, 2023

A Farewell Tribute to my lifelong Pensacola Friend- Farewell to my sweet sister of my heart. The first day we worked together at WFH, we knew that we would be FRIENDS FOREVER! We worked so in sync with each other, it was a little eerie.YOU ALWAYS SAW THE BEST IN OTHERS and you always inspired me to be better than I wanted to be. For some reason, I never wanted to disappoint you. I will miss you everyday, but am comforted knowing you will always in my heart. Your favorite poem … If thou of Fortune, be bereft, and in thy store, there be but left two loaves, sell one, and with the dole, buy hyacinths to feed thy soul. John Greenleaf Whittier. Love Dottie Dinsmore

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Kay Elam Jones posted a condolence

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Aunt Mag is the last of the eight siblings in her family to pass away. She was the second youngest. My mother, Betty, was the youngest, and she died over 30 years ago at age 56. The two of them were not only sisters but friends. After Mother died, Aunt Mag and I sometimes talked about their relationship and how much she missed my mom. From time to time, she shared stories about their adventures both as children and adults, usually leaving both of us in tears of laughter. I remember one such adventure when they visited me while I lived in north Alabama. Keep in mind, neither of them liked to drive, but together they garnered the courage to take a road trip to spend a few days with me. As they were leaving my home to return to Pensacola, I asked what route they planned to take. Their intended route was all two-laned, secondary roads that would take them through several small towns with stoplights and speed traps. I suggested they instead get on I-20 a few miles from my home and hit I-65 in Birmingham which would let them travel interstate almost the entire way to Pensacola. I could tell they still preferred the backroads, but they agreed to my suggestion when I argued it'd be quicker and safer and assured them it was the best way. I think I even asked them what could possibly go wrong. Well….. As they drove through Birmingham, they were pulled over by a highway patrolman…for going too slow. They later told me they had been so freaked out by all the cars zipping by them and when they saw exit only signs on both sides of the road, they decided to get in a middle lane so they wouldn't accidently be forced to exit because they were in the wrong lane. Aunt Mag was driving and said she held on to the steering wheel for dear life. She also said she was going a brisk 35 miles per hour. The patrolman didn’t ticket them, but he did tell them going too slow was almost as dangerous as going too fast and suggested they put it on cruise control at 55 and stay in the right lane. I probably don't have to tell you this was the last time they took driving advice from me. I always admired my Aunt Mag. I loved that she and Uncle Jerry were married for over 70 years and still adored each other. She was a role model for me as a loving mom, a proud and doting Nana, and a fabulous aunt. She always made me feel like I was her favorite, but I'm sure all her nieces and nephews felt the same way. Uncle Jerry, Gail and Joey, David, Lisa and John, Nancy, and all the grandchildren: Beratta, Mel, Greg and I are so sorry for your loss. She was such a special lady, with a kind and loving heart, and she made the world a better place. The Christmas season is a time when we tend to count the blessings in our lives, and Aunt Mag was certainly one of mine. I will miss her, but I hope she and my mom are together again, planning new adventures in the afterlife. Kay Gomillion Jones Elam

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Shawn Kerby posted a condolence

Thursday, December 21, 2023

When Ifirst met Mrs. Turner Iwas about 15 or 16 years old. I thought she was the perfect reflection of a loving sweet Southern American grandma. She greets you with a sweet smile. Gives you a sweet full hug. Pours you an ice-cold sweet tea. Serves you a sweet slice of cake. Sweetly rocks her grandbabies and great grandbabies. Nothing lit up her face or twinkled her eye more than holding the babies or watching them play at her feet. Pure JOY and BLISS. She usually spoke just with regard to her family. In other words, she only relayed her identity as ti existed in relation to others: Mag the daughter, sister, wife, mother, or grandmother. So her identity as just Mag, her SELF, her self-perception was not on my radar. Al that changed ni Washington, DC, where Nancy brought her one weekend when Iwas in law school. Isaw Mag. Her SELF. Her stand-alone identity. And it was beautiful, surprising, and refreshing. Igot asmal glimpse of who she was in the past, when she could be just HER, for HER. She had her own opinions and expressed them about everything we saw, smelled, tasted, heard, touched, or explored. She squealed. Literally. Squealed like a young girl up to something every day. Isaw her in different lights each time. Isaw the young lady, at high tea at the Ritz-Carlton, tasting al the fresh creations for Cherry Blossom season, and receiving the attentive white-glove service and hospitality. Isaw the explorer, inhaling the history and landscape of Mt. Vernon, the architecture of Georgetown and the monuments, and the scale and weight of Arlington cemetery. Isaw the bohemian, listening to late night jazz at a smal dark club, tapping her toes and fingers, spooning gumbo, and wearing a beret - tipped ever-so stylishly ot the side. She had a twinkle of a memory ni her eye, and a secret grin. I saw a glimpse of the lil'-outlaw that she likely let out once or twice ni her younger days. Whether she bought that beret for the trip or dug it out of acloset box, l'll never know. But Ido know that SHE, yes SHE asked to go to ajazz club. Nancy and Iplanned the trip, but the ONE thing she requested was "I'd like to maybe go listen to a little jazz at a small place." I'd like to think that she did buy the beret just for the trip with that secret wish and trip down memory lane. Atrip it was indeed. Isaw her need to remember herself. AND. Isaw her remember herself. Her SELF. With a sweet smile. Lastly, I saw the little girl, who simply just liked to be asked to come out to play. It al reminded me vividly that she did have a singular identity and personality inside her, that she had to set aside to fulfill her roles for others. But, it was there, still there, when called on to come out to play. Thank you Lord for taking Mrs. Turner home to rest. Iwish we could say Red Rover Red Rover send her back on over. Like when kids use to call each other out to play. But Iknow she gets to be the SELF she wants to be with You. And what a beautiful gift that will be for her son Mark to meet her when she comes out to play with him in Your Garden, Without Any Single Limitation. Love Shawn Kerby

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John posted a condolence

Thursday, December 21, 2023

May we all find comfort in the Lord's loving embrace during this difficult time of mourning the loss of Mag. Mag, I'm so glad that you are in the presence of God, free of earthly pain, worries and struggles. I imagine you singing the praises of God's great glory with the rest of the heavenly hosts. Please watch over us, hold a place for us until we meet again and save a dance for me. - John

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The family of Magdalyn Smith Turner uploaded a photo

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

A Memorial Tree was planted for Magdalyn Turner

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Family - Funeral and Cremation Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree

Magdalyn Smith Turner

1932 - 2023

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