Rachel Smith Turner

Rachel was born Mary Rachel Smith on August 23, 1928 in Bear Creek, North Carolina. She joined the Church Triumphant on May 30, 2024 reuniting her with her parents Colonal Alfred Smith and Mary Lona Tally Smith, her husband Seawell Ross Turner, Jr., her son Seawell Ross Turner, III and her three brothers, Raymond, Floyd and William.

She leaves in this world her daughter, Mary Ann Turner, granddaughters Amanda Boykin (Jeff), Camilla Lambert (Michael), Melissa Nowakowski (Louis), Samantha Turner (Shawn), grandson Drew Harrison (Jin), 10 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, a brother Joe Smith (Diane), sister Sue Copelan, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Rachel graduated from Bonlee School and attended secretarial/business school in Sanford, North Carolina where she met her husband, Ross Turner. After getting married at Tyson’s Creek Baptist Church, she lived in Sanford. She moved with her husband to Washington, D.C. and then to College Park, Maryland where her home was filled with family, her husband’s mother and his brother and both of her children were born. The family then moved to Raleigh, N.C. in 1953 and purchased the house that Rachel lived in for 71 years. That same year, the family joined White Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Rachel held various jobs throughout her life including bookkeeper, crossing guard with City of Raleigh police, inspector at Corning, restaurant manager, caterer, real estate salesperson, Electrolux salesperson, etc. Her most cherished roles were wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.

Rachel made do with what she had and was never envious. She could take bits and pieces to create a beautiful and welcoming home: crochet tablecloths from tobacco string, quilts from scraps of cloth, shelving from wooden sewing threat spools. She built additional rooms to the house that they purchased to accommodate extended family.

Rachel lived her Christian faith every day. She welcomed the stranger and cared for friends and family in tangible ways, including sewing clothes and quilts, preparing meals, and providing a home (not just a place to sleep) for people who were in need of a safe haven - whether kin or not. Her way of living created a community of love which bridged disagreements and distance.

She enjoyed being outside in her yard, walking in her neighborhood, visiting with her family and friends, and being actively involved in her church. She would see something that needed to be done and would simply do it without fanfare. She was a true servant leader. She had the ability to create beauty from fragments. Though she had a great listening ear, she also had her opinion of what was the next, right thing to do and often would share it. Many were touched by her gentle, nurturing, and loving spirit and will miss her greatly.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh (https://onrealm.org/whitememorial/-/form/give/wmpc), Transitions Life Care (https://www.transitionslifecare.org/donate/), to your church, or to a charity of your choosing.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held on Monday, June 10, 2024, beginning at 2:30 pm, with the family receiving afterwards in the Jane Bell Center.

Services provided by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC 27605.