Bess Duckworth Turner

Bess Duckworth Turner, 95, of N. Green St., Morganton, NC died Thursday, March 16, 2006 at Grace Heights following a period of declining health. She was born June 7, 1910 in Burke County, and was a daughter of the late Fons Tillman and Viola Rivers Fox Duckworth. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Meedie Turner; a son, Gene Turner; brothers, Dr. Cecil Duckworth and Carl L. Duckworth; and sisters, Margaret D. Palmer, Nellie D. Giles, and Frances D. McIntosh. She was a member of North Morganton United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Friendly Tuesday and Happy Trails Group. Bess attended Greensboro Business College. She retired from Drexel-Heritage Furniture in High Point, NC in 1975. Bess was an active member of the AARP, and volunteered with the Red Cross Bloodmobile until she was 93 years old.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Lena Turner of High Point; a daughter-in-law, Anita Turner of Morganton; grandchildren, Trent Turner, Tim Turner, Charles Turner, Jackie Turner, Brian Turner, and Patricia Turner Parris; 16 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren a sister-in-law, Katherine Duckworth of Albemarle, NC; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 19, 2006 at North Morganton United Methodist Church with Rev. Tony Matthews and Rev. Paul Christy officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 6:00 until 7:30 pm at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes before the funeral hour. At other times, the family will be at the residence of Anita Turner, 111 Wedgewood Dr., Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.2:31 PM 3/17/2006