Elizabeth Ann Turner

Elizabeth “Liz” Ann Turner (Piggee), was born to parents, Tressie Mae Piggee (Hutchinson) and Samuel Piggee, on Friday, November 28, 1941, in Nashville, Arkansas. Liz was the 5th of 10 children (7 girls and 3 boys) born to this union. Liz was the last child of Tressie and Samuel born in Nashville, Arkansas before the family began their journey west for a better life. During this transition, Mr. Piggee left the family to seek better opportunities to provide for his family. Within a month, Mrs. Piggee, along with her 5 young daughters, left Nashville, Arkansas on November 26, 1942 to join her husband in Arizona. Liz celebrated her 1st birthday in Mardai, Arizona.

After living and working in Arizona for approximately a year, it was decided that the family should go further west into California to pursue even more promising financial opportunities and employment. The family continued to work as farmers between cities such as Edison, Bakersfield, Yuba City and Marysville; picking cotton, tomatoes, potatoes, peaches, grapes, prunes, onions and hops. Eventually, the Boggs Tract region in Stockton became the family’s home-base and would serve as the center of the Piggee family gatherings for years to come. Mr. Piggee was not easy on his girls. He made sure his girls learned to work and help support the family. In addition to working in the fields, they also had to help build the family home and other family properties such as apartment buildings which included;1 two story building and a single level building with 8 one bedroom units. Mr. Piggee also had plans to build a store in which he said Liz would be the cashier because he knew she would count the money slowly and right.

During her youth, Liz attended Bungalow Elementary (currently known as Washington Elementary) and Edison High School. She enjoyed sports and participating in the school spelling bee competitions where she excelled.

In early 1959, Liz moved and joined her big sister, Laura Faye in Santa Monica, CA on 20th Street, after the sudden passing of her first child Jacqueline Marie Turner in October 1958 at 3 months old. When Liz arrived she got her first job alongside Laura Faye at Plastic Glide Corporation.

In 1960, while living in Santa Monica, her first love and future husband, Aaron Turner, came to town from Stockton to find her. He eventually moved to Santa Monica himself to be with her and continue their courtship.

During Liz and Aaron's years together in Santa Monica, they had 4 more children; Michael, Sheila, Sean and Charmaine. When the family started growing, Liz stopped working at Plastic Glide to care for her family which also included her two stepsons, Aaron Jr. and Kenneth. Liz made a 2 bedroom apartment on 16th Street a home. The apartment would be full of nieces and nephews during the summers and holidays; and hosted countless parties and gatherings. In 1978, Liz and Aaron made the decision it was time to move out of the apartment and purchased a home in Hawthorne, CA.

Liz was a dedicated wife and mother, who supported her children's dreams, aspirations and countless activities. Once all her children were in school, Liz started working at The Broadway Department Store in the gift wrapping dept until she retired in 1993.

Outside of working and caring for her family, Liz enjoyed many activities which included: bowling, traveling and cruises. She was also a huge sports fan, especially tennis. She loved completing crossword and 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles. Some of her favorite television programs were game shows such as, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and Family Feud. Liz would be delighted in shouting out correct answers. She enjoyed activities that kept her mind sharp.

Liz accepted Christ at an early age and was a devout Christian, who truly served and loved The Lord with all of her heart, mind and soul. Liz loved to sing. She especially loved singing songs for the Lord in her church choir at Mt. Beulah Baptist Church in Compton, CA. Liz was an outstanding soloist. Two of her favorite songs to sing were: He’s An On Time God and I Love to Praise Him. In addition, she was a member of the National Quartet Convention of America Interdenominational. Liz enjoyed going to see local gospel groups in Los Angeles with her sister Laura and friends. She would say, “I’m going to hear some "sanging" with Laura”. Some of her favorite groups were: The Sweet Singing Cavaliers, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Los Angeles Gospel Jewels, Ohio Wonders, Inspirational Souls and the Soul Stirrers.

In her latter years, in spite of her physical limitations and health issues, she was a true fighter and was resilient to anything that she faced. Liz was diagnosed with cancer on June 7, 2024 and passed on September 26, 2024. During this time Liz never gave up hope or stopped living. She was loved and supported by family and friends. She continued to sing and praise the Lord through it all.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her father Samuel Piggee; mother Tressie Mae Piggee ; sisters Cornlius Jo Jones and Mae Lillian Smith; brother Samuel Piggee Jr.; daughter Jacqueline Marie Turner; son Sean Lamont Turner; granddaughter Tania Turner; and grandson DeAnthony Turner. She is survived by her loving husband of over 63 years Aaron Turner; children Micheal Turner, Shelia Jefferson, Charmaine Turner; stepsons Aaron Turner Jr. and Kenneth Turner; grandchildren Michael Turner Jr., Tia Turner, Tabitha Turner, Ebone Jefferson, Ashley Jefferson, Aaron Jefferson, Jacqueline Jefferson, Whitnee Turner, Shonisse Turner, Tyresse Turner, Aaron Turner Jr. II, Briana Turner and Ilesha Turner ; great grandchildren Carter Coleman, Braelyn Washington, Aa’Ryn Jefferson, Ari Jefferson; Malik Turner, Harley Turner, Mason Turner, Aaron Turner Jr. III, Adlei Turner, Matthew Johnson, Amiryah Johnson, Brilee Frank; siblings Laura Faye Piggee, Emma Jean Dabney, Charles Piggee, Charlotte Adams, Carolyn Turner and Douglas Piggee; and a host of many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

Liz will be dearly missed and will remain in all of our hearts until we all finally meet again in glory.

A viewing for Elizabeth will be held Sunday, October 13, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Inglewood Cemetery Mortuary, 3801 W. Manchester Boulevard, Inglewood, CA 90305.

A viewing will occur Tuesday, October 15, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Greater Christ Temple of Stockton, 8800 Thornton Rd, Stockton, CA 95209.

A funeral service will occur Tuesday, October 15, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Greater Christ Temple of Stockton, 8800 Thornton Rd, Stockton, CA 95209.

A burial will occur Tuesday, October 15, 2024 from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Stockton Rural Cemetery, 2350 Cemetery Ln, Stockton, CA 95204.