Johnnie Loraine Turner Vest

Mrs. Johnnie Loraine Turner Vest of Commerce, GA passed away on Friday, November 20, 2015 after a brief illness.  She was born February 19, 1920 in Rankin County, Mississippi to the late Wade Hamilton and Ida Pruitt Turner formerly of Magee, Mississippi.

She was a proud member of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps during World War II from 1943 to 1945.  She later graduated from Radford University in Elementary Education.  She loved teaching and this love was shared with students in Mississippi, Virginia, Washington and Georgia.  She also loved reading, writing children’s stories, compiling family history and her church-The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  She was considered by her family as the family historian for her vivid recollection and research of family history.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years; Hansford Charles Vest and siblings; George Turner, Modena Phillips, Sadie Whitehead, Bonnie Little, Elizabeth Smith and Catherine Moore.

She is survived by her children:  Malcolm Turner (Joyce) Vest of Commerce, GA; Brenda Vest (Ward) Lockett of Mebane, NC; Dr. Jay H. Vest of Lumberton, NC; and David Vest of Commerce, GA.  She is also survived by four grandchildren:  Nikki Lockett (Ben) Balderas, Hillsborough, NC; Malinda Vest (Landon) Lanier, Statesboro, GA; Jennifer Vest (David) Elkins, Commerce, GA and Charles Vest, Great Britain; six great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 4 PM, Sunday, November 22 at the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce with Bishop Brad Day and Brother Leon McLain officiating.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday from 2 to 4 PM.  Graveside services will be held at 11 AM, Wednesday, November 25 at New Bethlehem Community Cemetery in Magee, Mississippi.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to one’s favorite charity.

Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce is in charge of arrangements.