Pearl Helen Turner

Pearl Helen Turner was born on November 13, 1931, to the marriage of John and Mary Smith in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the youngest of six children raised by this union. There was Francis, Altheoria, Chancellor Sr., Dorothy, and Kirk, all of whom preceded her in death. Pearl met and began a courtship with John Edward Turner, while attending Vashon High School 1946-1950. After graduation they married. To this marriage, one child was born, John Edward Turner, Jr. Pearl’s spirituality involved, at differed times, several religions. She was baptized at Leonard Baptist Church, but over the years also attended Galilee Baptist Church. The family then transferred and became members of Bethany Lutheran Church. In later years, Pearl studied and became a devout Catholic, attending Ascension St. Paul, then St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Churches. She worked in several industries to gain her footing in life. She worked as a waitress at the Conrad Covington Restaurant, then found employment at Berger Cleaners. She gained an interest in hair styling. She attended school and graduated as a licensed Cosmetologist. A few years into her career as a Cosmetologist, she was blessed with an opportunity to gain employment at a job that provided good pay, good benefits and excellent job security, Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. Her responsibilities at Bell involved being an operator, but soon grew to also include being a representative of her coworkers in the collective-bargaining process. She was a CWA (Communication Workers of America) Local 6310 union steward. For many years, Pearl and John Sr., loved being a part of planning and participating in the many social events that took place during their marriage. Those events included dances and parties sponsored by social clubs like The Royal Scotts, The Cosmopolitan Ladies and her favorite, Bell-In-Action. At these events, she loved the traveling, dancing, socializing and just being a part of the social life. In September of 1992, Pearl suffered a massive stroke that left her paralyzed on her left side. This event, eventually, caused her to retire from her job and focus on her recovery. Because of her shear strength, determination and sometimes stubbornness, her desire to be and remain as independent as possible, trumped everything. With the help of family and good friends, she was able to accomplish that goal. In 2009, she moved into her independent living apartment at Village North Senior Residential. She enjoyed and relished in her independence there. Her death on April 25, 2017 came as a shock to all who knew and loved her. Pearl leaves behind, to mourn her death: a son ~ John E. Turner, Jr.; a daughter-in-law ~ Cherry Turner; two grandsons ~ Alfrondo Bracken and Leon H. Foster, Jr. (Leah); two great-grandsons ~ Trenton Foster and Morris Foster; cousins ~ Richard Gordon (Elaine) and Juanita Marshall; and a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws and dear friends. Very dear friends who were an important part of Pearl’s senior life are/were: Mr. James Mingo (deceased), Ms. Dorothy Edwards, Ms. Rozell McGraw and Ms. Donna Blake. The family thanks you and appreciated your parts in her life.

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Pearl Helen Turner

November 13, 1931 - April 25, 2017