Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gary Turner

ARKADELPHIA  Gary Edward Turner, 49, of Arkadelphia went home to be with the Lord Sunday, Sept. 4, 2005, at UAMS hospital in Little Rock.

The longtime pastor was in the presence of his loving family when his two-and-a-half year battle with leukemia came to an end.

Gary was born Sept. 27, 1955, in Arkadelphia, the son of the late Harold and Pauline Bagwell Turner.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa Wingfield Turner; two sons, Matt Turner of Fayetteville and Andy Turner of Little Rock; two sisters, Debra Washington and Kathy Hodge both of Murfreesboro; and one brother, David Turner of Arkadelphia.

He spent the last 25 years as the senior pastor at Third Street Baptist

Church in Arkadelphia. Gary was a Christ-like man, a dedicated husband, father and leader to his congregation and community. He was well-known for his charisma, knowledge, humor and willingness to help people from all walks of life. God used those qualities to help Third Street become one of the fastest growing churches in Arkansas and established Gary as one of the most beloved ministers in this area.

His list of accomplishments and honors are countless, but most recently Gary received the Adam Blakely Award, the Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce Presidents Award and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. He served the community in various ways, belonging to numerous boards and committees.

Turner was the past president of the Arkadelphia School Board, the Clark

County American Heart Association and Woodmen of the World Lodge 233. He also served on the executive board for the Red River Baptist Association, the executive board for Courage House, the board of directors for Hospitality Care Center, the board of directors for Arkadelphia Little League, chairman of the board for the Clark County Christmas Store, chairman of the board for Brushy Creek Campground and chairman of the board for Arkadelphia Kids Club. He was a member of the Ecumenical Disaster

Committee, a member of the Human Rights Committee for the Arkadelphia Human Development Center and chaplain for the Clark County Sheriffs Office and the Arkadelphia Police Department.

His list of duties also included: Officiating a large number of funerals and weddings, visiting hospitals and counseling families through difficult times. But despite his obligations, Gary always found plenty of time for his wife and children, whom he adored.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005, at Third Street Baptist Church with Greg Kirksey, Llewellyn Terry, James Guthrie, Greg Lathem, Billy Reed, Steve Patterson and Percy Malone officiating.

He lay in state in the sanctuary at Third Street Baptist Church from 10

a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, until service time on Wednesday. Family hours were 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, at Third Street Baptist Church. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Arkadelphia.

Pallbearers were Ray Keeling, Gerry Sharp, Dean Runyan, Blake Batson,

Randy Weems, Bill Rogers, Billy Bunn, John Thomas, Joe Summerhill Sr. and Dennis Rowe. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons at Third Street Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to Third Street Baptist Church.

Services will be under the direction of Welch Funeral Home and Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home, both of Arkadelphia.

To sign the online guest book or send private condolences, visit www.welchfh.net.