Reflections of His Life & Legacy
Dr. Roy Chester Turner Jr.
Our beloved, Dr. Roy Turner Jr. passed away peacefully at the age of 56 on Sunday, February, 12, 2023 with loving family by his side in Fulton, Arkansas. May he rest in peace.
It was a special Monday on February 21, 1966 when the late Mr. Roy Chester Turner Sr. and Mrs. Celonia Marie Turner welcomed a baby boy named Roy Chester Turner Jr. in Hope, AR. At an early age Roy united with Union Missionary Baptist Church. He graduated from Hope High School with the Class of 1984.
Continuing his education, Roy attended Southern Arkansas University (SAU) in Magnolia, AR. In the spring of 1985 to help members attain high “intellectual, moral and social worth,” he pledged the distinguished Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. where he was affectionately named “Kold Breeze -3 degrees”. In 1990, Roy graduated from SAU with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He also received a Master of Science in Education from Henderson State University in 1993, an Educational Specialist degree in 2003, a real estate license in 2004, and a Doctor of Education from the University of Arkansas in 2014. He was also member of the City Council in Fulton, AR.
No stranger to brotherhood, Dr. Turner was a dedicated member of Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. & A. M. He was the past Master of Ambrosia #224. He also served in the office as Junior Warden, Senior Warden, and Secretary. In Texarkana, AR, he was a member of W. M. Lawson #27 H. R. A. M. where he served as Master II Veil and King. Dr. Turner continued his service with the A. L. Parks Commandery #4 Knights Templar, serving as Captain General and Generalissimo. He was also 1st Lt. Commander and Commander in Chief at S. T. Boyd Consistory #201 Valley of Washington Orient of Arkansas. Over the years, Dr. Turner served at Fred Johnson Jr. Arkansas Council of Deliberation, A.A.S.R. as 1st Lt. Commander, 2nd Commander, and he received a Gold Medal Achievement Award. His special accomplishments and acknowledgements due to his dedication and tireless efforts also included: District Deputy Emeritus, Grand Marshall, Grand Lecturer, and C. M. Toney Banquet Committee Member.
In all of the meaningful work Dr. Turner took part in, his most esteemed work took place in the halls of Clinton Primary School and Beryl Henry Elementary School. Dr. Turner spent over 30 years working to educate and prepare students to strive and achieve a good education. As Principal, he created a motto for the students of Beryl Henry to help instill the importance of hard work, dedication, and self-worth. At the end of every school event, Dr. Turner would have the students stand and recite the following school motto: “I want to be somebody, I can be somebody, I will be somebody, because I am somebody.”
Unbeknownst to family and friends, he was also a budding children’s book author until God called His angel home. Dr. Turner will be remembered for his love, life, and legacy in all of the lives he impacted.
He leaves the following loved ones to cherish his memories: his loving mother, Mrs. Cleonia Marie Turner; two brothers, Terrence Lorenzo Turner and Tony Arness Turner; one niece, Dynesha Elizabeth Cleshay Turner; one nephew, Jayden Chase Turner; one great niece, Aubrelle Aryah Robertson; one great-nephew, Dominique Dejohn Robertson; two special cousins, Jacquelyn Jackson and Jennifer Turner-Marks; one god-daughter, Kristin Morrison; five uncles, James (Camille) Smith, William Turner, Jr., Oliver Smith, Johnny (Terri) Turner, and Charles (Cynthia) Smith; six aunts, Nettie Duckworth, Audrey Howard, Rubye Centeno, Annie Jackson, Louise Harris, and Ethel Trotter; a special brother in the bond who stood by him until the end, Lawrence Owens; a special colleague and friend, Linda Rowe; as well as a host of cousins and friends.
+SERVICES+
*Visitation Service - Friday, February 17, 2023 @ 4-6 pm CST
@ Union Baptist Church - 201 W. Townson St., Fulton, AR
**Homegoing Service - Saturday, February 18, 2023 @ 2:30 pm CST
@ First Baptist Church - 315 S. Main St. Hope, AR
***Interment - Snell Cemetery | Emmet, AR
Honored Service Provider:
McFadden & Hitchye Funeral Enterprises
30+ years of experience
870 777 4841
https://www.mandhfuneral.com/.../2023/2/13/dr-roy-turner-jr