Paul Edward Turner

Mr. Paul Edward Turner, 79, of Lincolnton Highway, Elberton, Georgia died on May 20, 2024, at Athens Piedmont Hospital. He was born on July 3, 1944, in Byron, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents, the late Paul Preston Turner and Vernon Harrison Turner of Dawson, Georgia.

Paul battled pancreatic cancer since 2017 and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) since 2021. He was a graduate of Terrell County High School in Dawson, Georgia, and was a graduate of Georgia Southern College in 1971 with a B.B.A. in Finance. Paul served as president of Delta Sigma Phi twice while at Georgia Southern College. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War having served honorably in the National Guard Army for two years where he earned a sharpshooter expert award and four years active duty in the United States Navy where he served national security with distinction in the field of intelligence as a Communication Technician (CT) in the Philippines. While living in Augusta, he was a member of Curtis Baptist Church where he and his wife Kay volunteered to drive the children’s van. He also served as secretary of the Augusta Exchange Club.  

While living in Elberton, Paul and Kay were members of First Baptist Church in Elberton. After moving they joined Woodlawn Methodist Church in 2020. He was employed by Sanders Furniture for 29 years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a friend to all. Paul was a firm believer in a hard work ethic. Whether it was baiting a hook, planting a tree, mowing the grass, hunting a deer (or pig) or working in his garden, Paul enjoyed being outside. He was a true sports fan of the Elbert County Blue Devils and the Georgia Bulldogs. He volunteered as a softball coach for Elbert County Little League. His one true passion was music, but his greatest pleasure, happiness, and joy was his love for God, his five beautiful granddaughters, and his loving family and friends. 

Paul showed incredible courage facing life’s challenges and always had a smile and his usual silly jokes. Despite the pain, Paul stayed strong and positive until the end. Paul’s winning personality showed his cheerful demeanor, gentle spirit, loving heart, and he could be counted on to leverage his sharp humor to lighten the mood. He was willing to roll up his sleeves and pitch in whenever anyone, stranger, or friend, needed an extra hand. His generosity was evident when one Methodist minister mentioned his loving spirit at his mother-in law’s funeral, “There are not many men who would sell their homes and everything in the house to live with their mothers-in-law as you did, Paul.” In the last years of his life, Paul proudly acknowledged he had outlived all of the Turner men before him, none of whom had reached the age of 79!      

Paul is survived by his wife of 55 years: Kathryn (Kay) Jones Turner; four children: Richard Turner (spouse Heather), Melissa Turner, Jennifer Holland (spouse Jeff), and Alan Turner. He is survived by his loving granddaughters: Grace, Abigail Fish (spouse Jonathan), Kaylynn, Kathryn, and Ansley. Also surviving are sisters: Margaret Hardin and Penny Tellis; nephews: Will Potter and Joey Swords; nieces: Kay, Misty and April; brother-in-law, Ned Jones; as well as childhood friends: Jimmy “the Bully” (Rachel) DeLoach and Vernon Copeland; special friends: Jerry and Gloria Mauldin, Penny and Mark Langston, and Mark and Robin McCall.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Turner; and sisters Mary Ellen Bishop, and Sallie Russell.

Visitation will be on Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 6:00-8:00p.m. at Berry Funeral Home, Elberton, GA. 

Funeral will be held Friday May 24, 2024, at 3:00p.m. at Woodlawn Methodist Church with Rev. John Moore officiating. Private burial will follow at Elmhurst Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Scott Franklin, Clay Norman, Mark McCall, Stan Brown, Monty Dixon, and Troy Ayers. Paul was a “casual” person, so he would want everyone to attend his funeral in casual clothes.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Paul’s memory may be made to T.J. & Friends Foundation, PO Box 6161, Elberton, GA 30635 or to Mercy Ministries at Elberton Pentecostal Holiness Church, 822 Heard Drive, Elberton, GA 30635. 

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton, GA is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. Paul Edward Turner.