Sylvia Smith Turner, 84, of Blackshear, passed away Thursday morning, October 8, 2026, at the Hospice Satilla Hospice House in Waycross.
Born in Jesup January 25, 1942, she lived in Pierce County all her life. She was a 1960 graduate of Patterson High School where she had been fourth in her class. After high school, she worked for Morel’s Pharmacy and would later put her bookkeeping skills to use working for Blackshear Apparel followed by Pierce Farm Supply. She and her husband would go on to open Turner Appliance which their son and daughter still run today. In her free time, she enjoyed shopping and looking for the best deals. She was a longtime member of Emmanuel Baptist Church and the Saints of Joy Sunday school class. She had also been very active in the women’s group as well as having served as a greeter and nursery worker. Since becoming a resident of Baptist Village, she had been attending their chapel services.
She was a daughter of the late John Ervin and Isabelle Roberson Smith. She was also preceded in death by her husband, James Lamar Turner; a son, Anthony Scott Turner; a brother, Ronald C. Smith and a brother-in-law, Roy Todd.
Survivors include two children, James Lamar “Jamie’ Turner Jr. (fiancé’, Sheree’ Truelove) and Alison Turner Long, both of Blackshear; a sister, Rose Ann Todd, Blackshear; two brothers, Roger (Loretta) Smith, Douglasville and Harrell (Donna) Smith, Patterson; a sister-in-law, Linda Smith, Waycross; four grandchildren, Blair Hubbard, Payton (Ashlie) Turner, Allie Caroline (Wyatt) Castoe and Anna Claire Long (fiancé’, Treb Wetherington); seven great-grandchildren, Addison Hubbard, Kayleigh Hubbard, Amelia Turner, Cara Turner, Turner Hubbard, Steele Wetherington and Marlee Turner and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation will take place from 2-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, from the Pearson-Dial Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Richard Golden officiating. Blair Hubbard and Allie Caroline Castoe will also be providing family tributes.
Interment will be in the Blackshear Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Hospice Satilla Hospice House, 811 Beacon St., Waycross, GA 31501.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear is honored to serve the Turner family during this time.
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