Sharon O. Turner

After bravely fighting ovarian cancer for nearly five years, Sharon Owens Turner passed on February 11, 2022. Sharon was born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 24, 1951 and is preceded in death by her mother, Audrey Sims Owens, and father, Vernon Clair Owens. She is survived by her loving husband of forty-nine years, Ira Cain Turner and her daughters Rachel Turner Weingartner (Christopher) and Laura Turner Baker (Warren). She also leaves behind her five adoring grandchildren who were the light of her life: Robert Turner Weingartner, Charles Sims Weingartner, Christopher Wells Weingartner, Tabern William Baker and Virginia Claire Baker as well as stepmother, Frances Mitchell Owens, and siblings Vicki Brannon (Harrison), Cynthia Brennan, Gene Gray (Angelyn) and Susan Gray and dozens of nieces, nephews and other family. Sharon graduated from Berry High School in 1969 and then from Auburn University. She went on to receive her PhD from the University of Alabama in Clinical Psychology and first practiced at East Side Mental Health Center where she made lifelong colleagues and friends. During her career, she was in private practice for over thirty-five years during which she skillfully counseled hundreds of patients. She also was a member of the Alabama and American Psychological Associations, the Women's Network of Birmingham, the Assistance League of Birmingham and received a distinguished service award from the Crisis Center, for which she proudly helped establish its Rape Response facility. Sharon was a member of Highlands United Methodist Church, where she helped form its Child Development Center. Despite her many accomplishments, she said her best work was taking care of her grandchildren, and she rarely missed a school performance, sporting event, dance recital or opportunity to babysit for them. Sharon loved to travel with her family to her favorite places, including New York City, Seaside, Florida and Lake Martin which she grew up visiting as a child. An avid reader and woman of faith, Sharon loved her book clubs and small group. Sharon was known for her witty sense of humor and thoughtful listening ear and will also be missed by her closest friends to whom she was devoted. The family would like to thank doctors Ronald Alverez, M.D. (Vanderbilt University Medical Center) and Warner Huh M.D. (University of Alabama at Birmingham), HomeRN and Linda Core for their efforts in caring for Sharon through her final days. A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, February 17 at Highlands United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM. A visitation will be held at 10:00 AM at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Encore Community Respite Ministry at Canterbury Methodist Church at 350 Overbrook Road Birmingham, AL 35213.