Charlene Turner

Charlene Turner, 74, of Flowery Branch passed away Saturday February 17, 2018 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following a sudden illness.

Born March 13, 1943 in Brunswick, Georgia to the late Craig and Lois Turner, Charlene moved to Dawson County at an early age where she lived until 1973.  She was a graduate of Dawson County High School and earned a degree in Elementary Education at North Georgia College, her masters at Mercer University in Atlanta and specialist degree at Georgia State University.  She began her teaching career at Dawson County Elementary School before moving to Gwinnett County where she taught for 21 years at Bethesda Elementary School and seven years at Sugar Hill Elementary before retiring in 2000.  Charlene was a member of Bethel Baptist Church and also attended Blackshear Place Baptist Church.

Charlene truly embraced life and lived it to the fullest.  Even in her retirement she never slowed down.  She loved walking, attending Silver Sneakers and aquatics classes, square dancing, serving her neighborhood as a newly elected board member, cooking and baking, and tending to her yard and garden.  She was a lover of Roses and beautiful Rose varieties can be seen thriving around her home.  She earned her Master Gardener in 2011 and volunteered regularly with “Growing with 2nd Graders” a Gardens on Green program that combined her two passions; teaching children and gardening.  She was all about making life beautiful.

Charlene loved to travel and along with her sister, family and friends she enjoyed places such as Iceland, Scotland, Ireland, Greece, Africa, Hawaii, Mexico, Canada and the continental U.S.  Although she traveled the world, one of her favorite places was on a beach with a good book. 

Charlene loved life but one could say she loved her grandchildren more than life itself.  Bailey, Blair, Corbin, Parker, Kendall, Hannah and Bo were her pride and joy.  Not only did she keep many of them on a daily basis as young children but she was their biggest supporter at dance recitals, ball games, class plays and graduations.  She wore many titles but her favorite was “Mama Char”. 

Surviving are her children, Sherry and Chris Britt, Lawrenceville, Greg and Edith Bowen, Lawrenceville, Gus and Rachael Bowen, Buford, Kyle and Kirsten Bowen, Johns Creek; sister, Donna T. Brown, Jasper; 7 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday February 22nd, 2018 at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel at 3pm. Pastor Samuel Parsons will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, February 21st from 4pm until 7pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to “Gardens on Green” a program supported by the Hall Co Master Gardeners and the Hall Co School district to promote gardening education for children.  Checks can be made to “Gardens on Green” in honor of Charlene Turner and mailed to 711 Green Street Gainesville, GA 30501.

Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.

Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.