HELEN JEAN POWELL TURNAGE

Helen Jean Powell Turnage died September 28, 2017 in her home at Hayti at the age of 91 years, 9 months, and 28 days.

Mrs. Turnage was a devoted and loving wife, mother,and grandmother, a hardworking farm housewife, a dedicated Sunday School teacher, a very artistic creator of gingerbread houses, and an outstanding cook whose specialty was fried pies. She was a graduate of the Hayti High School class of 1943 and took much pride in organizing HHS reunions of the 1940’s. For a time she baked and created wedding and anniversary cakes for the very fortunate as they looked and tasted fabulous. She was known for her hospitality in hosting farmers, consultants, crop protection suppliers, and others. Her famous lunch would usually consist of roast, potatoes, vegetables, and those delicious angel biscuits. This happened virtually every day.

Mrs. Turnage was preceded in death by her parents, Odies and Mabel Powell, her husband, J.W. “Junebug” Turnage, Jr., a brother, Pat Powell, and two sisters, Mary Catherine Collins and Elizabeth Ann Powell.

She leaves to cherish her memory, three sons, John Willis “Sonny” Turnage, III and wife Belinda Lou of Hayti, Richard Eurties Turnage and wife Gina Summar of Caruthersville, James Duke Turnage and wife Teresa Ann of Lennox, TN, four grandchildren, Patrick Lee Turnage, Casey Lynn Turnage, Jordan Richard Turnage, and Peyton Summar Turnage, a sister, Nancy Carolyn Powell of Bartlett, TN, friend and caretaker, Leola Irving of Hayti, and a host of nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in the John W. German Funeral Home Chapel in Hayti with Rev. Doug Wahls officiating. Burial was in the Maple Cemetery in Caruthersville. Pallbearers were Patrick Turnage, Jordan Turnage, Peyton Turnage, Steve Watkins, Bobby Khourie, Victor Sample, and Ronnie Bunn.

John W. German Funeral Home of Hayti in charge of services.