Joan Rogers Turner

My Mother-in-law (I always called her Mom), invited David and I to be guests in her house in South Carolina.
I must say that we had a very nice time there because of Mom.
She prepared delicious meals for us, such as tasty spaghetti, chefs' salad and sandwiches and for dessert, my favorite, pecan pie.
Mom showed me the pretty azaleas and other flowers that she planted in her front yard. All of my in-laws that I met were very kind to me.
Mom and I visited the shopping malls in Greenville where Mom showed me some beautiful antiques and many other interesting places that I had never seen.
Mom also visited us at our house in Connecticut, and we had a great time there.
Mom, I miss you, and even though you are not here you will always be in my heart forever.

In Loving Memory of My Grandy

Grandy and Grand embodied what true love looked and felt like. The highlight of my childhood was having the incredible gift of being loved by them both. I remember Grandy vividly, as if it were only yesterday.

Grandy would be in the kitchen, her presence warm and comforting, while Grand spent time in his red room, carefully developing photographs of us cousins-capturing every joyful moment we shared.

Near a window hung beautiful crystals. When the sunlight passed through it, it cast a delicate prismatic glow across the walls, sometimes landing softly on Grandy. It was as if the universe knew how radiant she was and wanted to reflect her light back to us.

Every day with her felt like a warm summer afternoon, filled with the scent of gardens and the comfort of simple, beautiful things.

We´d share ice cream on the couch while watching Friends, or one of her favorite sitcoms, The Nanny. Oh, how she loved that show. I remember asking her why the actress sounded like she had a frog in her throat-she always laughed at that.

Grandy taught me what it meant to be a refined woman. She showed me how to be well-groomed, how to carry myself, and how to treat others with grace and kindness. She taught me manners and the quiet strength of being presentable and poised.

She took me on picnics and made the best sandwiches. She´d bring me to Mamaw´s, where we´d make dolls together-simple crafts that sparked big dreams. Those memories of stitching and creating would one day grow into my bridal shop here in the Philippines.

There are so many more memories. I´m surprised at how many I can recall so vividly from such a young age, but I suppose that´s what happens when you are truly, purely happy-your mind holds on to it forever.

There´s so much I could say, and yet somehow it never feels like enough. I miss her deeply and often wish I had the chance to share more life with her as an adult. I believe she was placed in my life with divine purpose-to shape my first understanding of what love truly is.

May her love live on and continue to shine through all of us, like that beautiful prism by the window.

With all my love,

Rosemary "Rose" Turner

My Mother always made sure that my brothers and I wore clean clothes and would never let us feel hungry and I am very grateful for that.

It must have been difficult for her to manage three energetic boys all at once while our Father was working.

I remember that my Mother worked hard to keep our house as clean and organized as possible.

She planted special trees in the front yard that are still there today.

She also maintained a large vegetable garden.

We would sometimes go walking around the town and neighborhood and I cherish those thoughts.

We also shared some of the same interests, such as antiques and collectables.

My Mother will always be missed, and she was loved by myself, my wife Yolanda and daughter, Rosemary.

My grandfather was reunited with his bride as Grandy went to go be with Jesus Saturday night. Knowing she´s with her love again and they can continue their love story in Heaven brings me comfort. I couldn´t have asked for a better grandmother, she kept us fed and she kept us loved. Grandy passed her love of flowers onto me and I´ll always find her presence through them and I´ll know Grand and Grandy both are right there every time I see the cardinals land close by. Being loved by her was to be loved fiercely and she will be greatly missed.

Joan Lee was such a fantastic aunt to my sister and me. Tiny but mighty I would say, she always kept me in check when I would talk back (I think it runs in the family) and gave the most thoughtful gifts. Many of my most cherished keepsakes from childhood are from Joan. I can remember going to the jockey lot with her and watching her browse the booths, and how beautiful their yard always looked.
She and Clifford hold a special place in my heart, and while I know this is a huge loss for the Turner family, I hope there is some solace in knowing they are together again. Wishing you all peace and comfort during this difficult time.

Oh my! What a precious lady! We enjoyed our time as neighbors to both Cliff and Joan Turner in Woodson Lake. She was the southern lady who would always invite me in, have a conversation and always say to come back soon! We knew she cared and enjoyed our time together. We will be praying for her sweet family.

I had the honor and privilege of having Grandy (Joan) as my grandmother for the first 30 years of my life. She was a tiny woman with a fierce heart and the strongest will. To be loved by Grandy meant you always had her unwavering support and loyalty. I´m convinced her love language was making sure everyone she cared for had fresh flowers and a full stomach. Sunday lunches were always filled with delicious homemade meals, banana pudding, and a calm, steady love. Being lucky enough to bear witness to part of Grand and Grandy´s marriage instilled in me a hope for a love to last a lifetime. I´m sure there were rocky days, but you could always see the love and respect they had for each other shining through it all. Knowing that Grandy is home with her lifelong love and best friend again soothes some of the ache in my heart made at her absence. She and Grand will be forever missed, but we will carry them in our hearts forever. Being loved and shaped by them both was the privilege of a lifetime. It´s not a goodbye forever, just a bye for now. I´ll think of her always in the smell of gardenias and the taste of banana pudding.