Rev. Sammie Joe Turner

Rev. Sammie Joe Turner, 76, of Seale, AL, passed away peacefully into the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 23, 2024, at Piedmont Hospital Midtown in Columbus, GA.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am EDT Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Vance Brooks Funeral Home in Phenix City with Dr. David Kees and Rev. Bud Passmore officiating. A private interment with Military Honors will follow at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 pm EDT at the funeral home in Phenix City.

Born September 20, 1947, in Columbus, GA, Rev. Turner was the beloved son of the late James Edward Turner and Beatrice Turner.

He answered the call to preach in 1967 at Holland Creek Baptist Church and furthered his education at Baptist Bible Institute (BBI), now known as the Baptist College of Florida (BCF). With a dedicated heart, he served as a minister for over five decades, touching countless lives along the way. His pastoral journey led him to serve at Camp Springs Baptist Church in Columbia, AL, Shady Woods Baptist Church in Phenix City, AL, Seale Baptist Church in Seale, AL, and Bethlehem Baptist Church in Pine Mountain Valley, GA. Additionally, he served as the Associate Pastor at Golden Acres Baptist Church in Phenix City, AL. A proud Veteran of the United States Army, Rev. Turner served three tours of duty in Vietnam.

Rev. Turner found joy in many things, including Alabama football, outdoor activities like fishing, singing, and most importantly, sharing the Gospel with others. Following his pastoral retirement, he and his devoted wife became cherished members of Smiths Station Baptist Church in Smiths Station, AL.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Margaret Johnson Turner of Seale, AL; two daughters, Teresa Turner Whitlock (Gary) of Smiths Station, AL, and Leigh Ann Turner Mount (Jeremy) of Phenix City, AL; three sisters, Marie Pyron (Edward), Aletha Ramey, and Myra Herder, all of Phenix City, AL; four grandchildren, Kimberly Barrentine, Kelly Robbins (Kevin), Cole Whitlock, and Camden Mount; two great-grandchildren, Kason and Kylie; numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family members, and caring friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests contributions to the Smiths Station Baptist Church Youth Ministry in memory of Rev. Sammie Turner.