Mary A. Turner

Mary A. Turner, age 90 years, a resident of Vienna, passed away Sunday evening, December 28, 2014, at 8:45 PM at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale. Mary was born August 21, 1924 in Tunnel Hill, Illinois. She was the daughter of Robert and Clethia (Moore) Woodworth. On May 31, 1941, Mary was united in marriage to James Richard Turner at Charleston, Missouri. He preceded her in death in 1965. She was later united in marriage to Roy Babb in August 1971 at Vienna and he preceded her in death in 1997. Survivors include: her children – Ronnie Turner of Tunnel Hill and Linda Ruschak of Metropolis; 5 granddaughters – Leanne Copeland, Pamela Fulcher, Belinda Sheffer, Melissa Hill, and Mary Lou Wheaton; 11 great grandchildren – Meagan, Max, Zeta, Jadra, Dustin, Damion, Paige, Christian, Bailee, Brayden, & Cody; 2 sisters – Ruby Corzine and Dorothy Lowery both of Caseyville; a brother – Richard Woodworth of Vienna; and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husbands, Mary was preceded in death by: 5 children – Lana L. Thurmond, Gary Eugene Turner, Jacqueline Sue Turner, Gary Lyn Turner, and Pamela J. Turner; 3 Sisters – Marie Edwards, Helen Bettis, & Della Strother; 5 brothers – Lee, Ben, Ray, Bob, and Joe Woodworth. Mary was a true “jack-of-all-trades.” She had worked during the Second World War as a welder in a munitions factory. Mary also worked for many years as an assembler at Norge, Inc. at their facility in Herrin. She also provided housekeeping service and worked as a waitress. Mary was a member of the Simpson Baptist Church. She had a zest for life and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Mary also loved music, dancing and reading. Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon, January 1, 2015, at 1 PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor David Faulkner officiated. Burial was in the Cypress Masonic Cemetery. Visitation was conducted Wednesday, December 31, 2014, from 5 PM – 7 PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 425 South Woods Mill Road, Suite # 110, Town and Country, Missouri 63017, or the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674 or to the National Parkinson Foundation, 1501 NW 9th Ave., Miami, FL 33136-1407.

Mary A. Turner

August 21, 1924 - December 28, 2014