Julia Lavern Turner

Wilson - Funeral Services for Mrs. Julia Lavern (Alexander) Turner, former long time resident of Zaneis are scheduled for 10:00 A.M., Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Alexander Gray Funeral Home Chapel in Wilson with Rev. David Gardner officiating. Interment will follow at Hewitt Cemetery. Services are under the care and direction of Alexander Gray Funeral Home in Wilson. We respectively ask that those in attendance please wear a mask. Services will be Facebook Live.

Lavern was born in Pike, OK on May 17, 1933, the daughter of Ben and Ruby McKee Alexander. She departed from this life on Thursday, February 11, 2021 in Ardmore at the age of 87 years, 8 months, and 25 days.

A resident of Love and Carter County all of her life, Lavern attended school at Pike and Burneyville and graduated from Courtney High School with the class of 1951. She played basketball there and was basketball homecoming queen. After graduation, she worked at the Marietta Court House. She later worked at the Marietta Pants Factory, IGA grocery in Healdton, cooked at the Zaneis School Cafeteria , where she prepared weekly menus. Also, before retirement, Lavern worked as a caregiver. Even after retirement she volunteered at the Healdton Hospital. All the while being a devoted homemaker.

She and Bill Jackson were married on November 30, 1951, and from that union were born three children; one son, Allen, and two daughters, Sheila and Pam. Later, Lavern and Chesley Turner were married February 14, 1986 in Zaneis.

Lavern enjoyed spending time with her family, especially watching her grandchildren play sports and attending dance recitals and piano recitals. Her hobbies included a love of dancing, fishing, caring for flowers and chickens, baking, and visiting with friends and solving problems swinging on the back porch swing. Lavern was a member of the First Baptist Church of Wilson and also a proud elder of the Chickasaw Tribe.

Preceding her in death were her parents; two sisters, Sharron McGehee and Yvonne Alexander; a brother, L.B. Alexander; and special friends, Clara Sparks and Betty Emberling.

Lavern is survived by daughter, Sheila Parker and son in law Steve of Lone Grove; son, Allen Jackson and daughter in law Debbie of Lone Grove; and daughter, Pam Galles and son in law Patrick of Ardmore; five grandchildren, Jason Jackson and wife Tracey of Frisco, TX, Amber Wilson and husband Russell of Lone Grove, Kati Cain and husband Derek of Springer, OK, Megan Vitrano and husband Paul of Broken Arrow, OK, Kristen Smith and husband Blake of Ardmore; ten great grandchildren, Addison and Kylynn Jackson, Emma and Hunter Wilson, Kyler and Davis Cain, Sawyer and Baylor Vitrano, Savannah and Easton Smith; special cousin, Wayne Alexander; special sister in law, Katherine Morgan; special brother in law, Preston Lloyd McGehee; special niece Lisa; special nephews, Preston Harold, Gregg, Rick, Mike, Darren, and Ben; step grandson, Brad Turner and wife Tiffany; and by a host of other family friends.

Serving as casket bearers will be Patrick Galles, Mike Morgan, Preston Lloyd McGehee, Gregg McGehee, Jason Jackson, and Steve Parker. Honorary bearers are Preston Harold McGehee, Wayne Alexander, Rick Morgan, Eileen Duvall, and grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Friday evening from 6-8 P.M. at Alexander Gray Funeral Home Chapel in Wilson.

Special thanks to Elmbrook Nursing Home and Cross Timbers Hospice.

Memories and photos may be shared online at www.alexanderfuneralhome.org.