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Ulysess E. Turner Sr.

Ulysess E. Turner Sr.

KILMARNOCK—Ulysess Edward Turner Sr., born May 21, 1937, to the late Leah Green Turner and Frank Turner, left his earthly realm to be with his Lord and Savior in the heavenly realm on Monday, November 21, 2022.

Ulysess, better known as “Fox” was the eighth of 13 children. He obtained the nickname “Fox” when he ran down a rabbit and caught it.

He met and married the love of his life, Delma Mae Rich Turner, on March 17, 1960. To this union five children were born.

Fox held various jobs throughout his working career including meat cutter with Robert Carr Company, Kilmarnock; construction with Whiting Turner, Baltimore, Md.; waste management services, Baltimore; cook for the commercial fishing line, Zapata Haynie, Reedville; and Northern Neck Tire Company, Kilmarnock. He also owned and operated his own tire company for a brief period of time.

Ulysess was the original “MacGyver.” He was always rigging up inventions to accomplish tasks alone that normally required multiple people. His motto was “work smarter, not harder.” With minimal formal education, he was considered one of the smartest men when it came to creating innovative ideas.

He loved baseball. He played minor league ball and traveled to various states. He played second base and shortstop. His favorite professional team was the Baltimore Orioles and his favorite football team was the Washington Commanders. He spent many evenings watching his favorite sports.

Ulysess began his personal relationship with the Lord in 1975. He joined and served at Calvary Baptist Church as a member of the men’s chorus. After maturing in his faith, he was ordained as a deacon under the leadership of the late Joseph D. Marting Jr.  Deacon Turner served faithfully and later became a chairman of the deacon ministry. Deacon Turner also served on the executive board and the hospitality ministry.

Deacon Turner was well-loved in the community by all that met him. He enjoyed people and loved to make people laugh. He was adopted as “PopPop” by many youth and young adults who crossed his path. He was a no-nonsense disciplinarian to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved unconditionally and did not let mistakes made by them define them. He was a great encourager.

“Fox” was an excellent cook. He was known best for his homemade pound cakes, homemade ice cream, potato salad, tender roast beef and rice pudding to name a few of his expertise in food preparation.

PopPop enjoyed spending quality time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Every Sunday afternoon was spent having family dinner with this “tribe” and then later in the evening, he played spades with his late sister, Hazel, and his niece and nephew, Sophie and Charles.

Friend to all that crossed his path, he would do anything to help make life easier. Every holiday and throughout the year, he would deliver meals that he cooked to the widows of the church. He also provided breakfast and/or snacks every Sunday morning for the Sunday school class to enjoy. He was frequently called by a client or acquaintance to help with a menial task. Deacon Turner will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Leah and Frank Turner; his wife, Delma Rich Turner; his granddaughter, Shana Conaway; four brothers, Frank, Harry, William and Floyd; four sisters, Margaret, Bessie, Hazel and Pearl; one son-in-law, Jimmy White.

He leaves to cherish his memory five daughters, Deborah (Lewis) of Baltimore, Gail Turner, Angela Turner-White and Valarie Turner, all of Kilmarnock, and Karen Jackson of Baltimore; one son, Ulysess E. Turner Jr. (Jean) of Colonial Beach; 21 grandchildren, Maurice, Carisa (Kardis), Turmain, Andre (Keisha), Anthony (Asia), Travis (Kershera), Michael, Justin (Ashlee), Devin (Sade), Craig, Christopher, Tyler, Ciarra, Christian, Caim, Chase, Cameron, Dondrea, Andre, Kendra and Michelle; 22 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Lucille Rich, Bertha Turner and Virginia Mar; one brother, James Turner (Brenda); three brothers-in-law, CP, Raymond (Barbara) and Glendon; four sisters-in-law, Jacqueline, Bessie, Glendora and Francis; Marcus Cutler, who was like an “adopted” son; long-time friend, Spencer Waters; close cousin, pastor James (aka Bubbie) Green; and a host of nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Services were held at Lancaster Middle School Sunday, November 27, with interment at Calvary Memorial Cemetery in Kilmarnock.

Campbell Funeral Home of Kilmarnock handled the arrangements.

Rappahannock Record Staff
Rappahannock Record Staffhttp://www.rrecord.com
From the Rappahannock Record news team
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