Ella Mae Turner

Ella Mae Turner was born on August 14, 1933, to Doc & Bessie Smith in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She was the 5th oldest child. She loved school and education but was unable to attend regularly because she was required to work in the fields to help the family. She also helped take care of her younger siblings. After so many years, Ella met and married Roosevelt Turner at the age of 16.

Searching for a better life, Ella & Roosevelt migrated to Benton Harbor, MI, from Charleton, Missouri. To their union, one child, Emma Clark. Ella worked as an assistant to the cook at a restaurant (City Market downtown Benton Harbor on Riverview Dr.), sometimes helping with the dishes, making only $1.00 per hour. Later in life, she helped babysit grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her final job was working at Michigan Fruit Cannery in Sodus, MI, as a machine operator and as a line worker, making around $6.00 per hour.

Ella confessed her faith in Christ at a younger age and attended other churches. However, in 2001, she was led to Refreshing Fountains-COGIC by her sister Roselee Young and became a faithful member, getting baptized in 2002 and watching her pastor get elevated to Michigan Western Jurisdiction Prelate Bishop. She was a faithful member until her passing. She enjoyed coming to church, fellowshipping with the saints, hearing the word of God, and always praising God with the fruit of her lips.

Ella leaves to celebrate her life with two sisters, Rosie Lee Young and Sharlene Gorman, one brother, Jack Smith, and one daughter, Emma Clark.

She also leaves to celebrate her life with her grandchildren, Roosevelt “Tony” Turner II, Alisha Turner, Shamel Turner, Jessica (Mark) Reed, and Justin (Sabrina) Clark. Her great-grandchildren, Arsenio Turner, Shaquille Turner, Elijah Turner (Precious Christian), Charlie (Helena) Kelley, and Tavion Kelley (Micah McCree); 13 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other family, friends, and church family who she dearly loved.

Ella was preceded in death by her parents (Doc & Bessie Smith), her husband, Roosevelt Turner, and her siblings, Eva Cross, Charles Smith, James Smith, Early Smith, Lilly Mae Cross, and Bertha Lee Sims.

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