Joseph W. Turner

Joseph W. (Navajo Joe) Turner, 79, of Salem, Va., went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 23, 2008. He was preceded in death by his parents, John P. and Tenie Belcher Turner; brothers, John P. Turner Jr. and Charles C. "Pude" Turner; and a sister, Dorothy Adams. He was retired from J.P. Turner Brothers Construction Company. After his retirement he and his brother, Charles, formed J & C Janitorial Service. Mr. Turner attended Shenandoah Wesleyan Chapel and Penn Forest Wesleyan Church. For more than 20 years Joe worked with the Navajo Indians in Keams Canyon, Ariz. His twice yearly trips to the reservation provided clothing, food and personal items for the needy. Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Betty O. Turner; son, Bobby L. Turner, of Salem; daughter, Brenda T. Hampton and husband, Don, of Roanoke; granddaughters, Marla and Kara Turner, both of Salem; sister, Mary Lou Adams and husband, Frank "Babe," of Salem; brother, Oscar Turner and wife, Barbara, of Rocky Mount; numerous nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law, Lottie Turner and Sue Turner; and former sister-in-law, Betty Turner, of Salem. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Alzheimers Association, 2728 Colonial Avenue, Suite 2, Roanoke, Va. 24015. Funeral services will be conducted 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2008, at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road, by the Rev. Dale Reynolds and the Rev. Greg Reynolds. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2008, and Friday, September 26, 2008, at Simpson Funeral Home, 540-366-0707.