Barbara Jean Turner

BARBARA JEAN BLANTON TURNER was the only child born to Jesse Blanton and Julia Jameson Blanton on October 11, 1939 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Although an only child, Barbara Jean had the blessing of growing up as one of ten first cousins…she considered them her siblings and took pride in being the oldest.

BARBARA JEAN committed her life to Christ at Shiloh Baptist Church at the young age of 8. She was baptized by Reverend C.V. Jetter. In later years she transitioned her membership to Good Samaritan Baptist Church where she served on the nurse’s ministry and as an active member of the congregation. Through this membership she developed a relationship with Reverend Calvin Harlin who continued to minister to her even during the last days of her illness. She was most recently a member of Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church under Pastor Michael S. Johnson.

BARBARA JEAN was educated in the Indianapolis Public Schools system and attended Crispus Attucks High School. She grew up in the historic Lockefield Gardens and Indiana Avenue area of the city. She loved to share with her children and grandchildren stories of her “younger days” and fun times as a young woman in Lockefield and on The Avenue. When you listened, you truly believed you were there hanging out with her. She was an amazing historian with a sharp memory even in her last days. She could tell you the year of every world war or the names and birthdates of every member in the entire Jameson family tree. Her family depended on her to recall events and family history, this is an attribute that will be sorely missed.

BARBARA JEAN had an impressive work ethic from the time she was a young woman. She worked well into her older years, retiring at age 74 in 2013. She spent many years working as a nurse’s aide in different facilities including General Hospital, University Hospital, and Hoover Wood Nursing Home. In later years, she was a loyal employee to many local entrepreneurs. Through this work, she met dozens of life-long friends who knew her as “Ms. Barbara”. Ms. Barbara was a favorite amongst all her customers. She loved to brag about how much they spoiled her with thank you gifts and complimented her on her style. According to Barbara Jean, her wardrobe was “Bad!” and absolutely no one could tell her otherwise.

BARBARA JEAN married James Lewis Turner on June 8, 1956. Together, this young couple grew a large family consisting of seven children. As an only child, Barbara Jean took great pride in her big fun family. She loved when all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren gathered together. She created family gathering traditions like card games and her favorite, Pokeno. Pokeno is a game she learned to play as a child and was sure to teach her children and grandchildren. She made Pokeno a tradition at any Turner Family gathering. She could beat everyone in Pokeno and showed no mercy. During family gatherings, she would repeat over and over “just one person…created all these people!” When reminded that “Scrandaddy” helped, she would respond “I guess he did a little something”. When she departed this life, Barbara Jean had created five generations.

BARBARA JEAN was the life of the party as the matriarch of her family. You could always expect a ton of laughs and maybe even a tongue lashing…but either way, you knew where you stood with her. Her big fun family will miss her dearly but have peace in knowing that some of the family welcomed her home to Heaven when she departed this earthly life on June 4, 2022.

BARBARA JEAN was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, three granddaughters, and one great-grandson. She leaves to cherish her memory her only son James E. Turner (Roslyn); six daughters: Gina Bond (Willie); Marlynn Turner-Byrdsong (Dwight); Cara Coleman (James); Deandra Turner; Lisa Kay Cheshier; and Nicole Turner; thirteen grandchildren; thirty-six great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; many cousins that she held dear to her heart; neighbors, and friends…the dearest of which was Beulah Gaines.

A visitation for Barbara will be held Sunday, June 19, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Crown Hill Funeral Home, 7809 West 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208. A visitation will occur Monday, June 20, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 7809 West 38th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208. A celebration of life service will occur Monday, June 20, 2022 at 12:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crownhill.org for the Turner family.