Seawell Ross Turner III

After battling an aggressive pancreatic cancer, at 5:45 AM on November 5th, Seawell Ross Turner, III, joined his father, lovingly called Ross, in heaven. While under the care of hospice at his home in Davenport, Florida, his wife, Pamela Turner, and his youngest daughter, Samantha Turner, held his hand as he drew his final breath.

Born to parents Seawell Ross Turner, Jr., and Rachel Smith Turner in Washington D. C. on December 29, 1948, Seawell spent over 60 years of his life in North Carolina. He married Pamela in 1979 in Wendell, bringing two daughters in his custody, Camilla (now Mrs. Michael Lambert) and Amanda (now Mrs. Jeffrey Boykin). Pamela brought a son, Donald (now Drew Harrison, with wife Jian), and a daughter, Melissa (now Mrs. Louis Nowakowski). The family greeted their final child, daughter Samantha, in 1980. These children, with a total of 10 grandchildren (Kyndal, Jaxon, Brelan, Dylan, Chris, Ashley, Lisa, Anne, Elizabeth, and Alexander) and 2 great grandchildren, have all survived him, as well as his mother, Rachel Smith Turner, and his sister, Mary Ann Turner. Seawell is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. After spending the majority of his life in Raleigh, where his mother and sister still reside, he wished to be laid to rest next to his father at Montlawn Memorial Park. On Monday, November 16, we invite all, who wish to pay their respects, to visit the gravesite between 2 and 3 PM. Arrangements for the graveside have been provided by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, and the immediate family will be in attendance at that time.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cornerstone Hospice at 2140 E. CR540 A, Lakeland, FL, 33813, or to White Memorial Presbyterian Church at 1704 Oberlin Rd., Raleigh, NC, 27608.

Seawell has always been on the go. In his youth, he played several instruments and desired to learn how things work by taking them apart. Growing up, he worked on radios, cars, and tube televisions with his father. His affinity for singing and his mechanical aptitude never waned. His greatest joy in life was his family. Providing for and loving his family was the most important thing in his life.

He had a contagious sense of fun and positivity, and was always capable of laughing heartily at himself. His capacity for acceptance, understanding, and forgiveness made him an outstanding human being, and he had an uncanny knack for making friends out of strangers anywhere he went.

After working at a variety of trades and sales, including 6 years as a volunteer firefighter in Wendell, Seawell became a career electrician, building his own company, Electro-Tel Services, in Raleigh, a passion that he never planned to let go of, even after the pandemic put things on hold for him. He held certifications and licenses for electrical and security systems, some of which few other people could claim. His accolades in this field put him at the top of the list for Raleigh, surrounding areas, and even countrywide. He enjoyed sharing this passion for his work with anyone who would listen, especially his family.

Seawell reveled in having a good time with friends, family, or total strangers. He remained in touch with his 1967 Broughton classmates, and made a point to attend the reunion, and surrounding festivities, every year. He traveled to all the family reunions, always imparting the importance of these gatherings to his children. Regardless of any financial struggles in his time as a father, he always did his best to take his family on trips, especially to his favorite destination, Disney World. When he and his wife retired and sold their home in downtown Raleigh in 2018, they moved to a lovely retirement community in Davenport, Florida. Time with Samantha (a Florida resident), and newest grandson, Alexander, along with the idea of spending their days at Disney World, was all too good to resist.

When he received news of his cancer, at the end of August this year, the only thing that mattered to him was seeing his family. He received phone calls daily from loved ones. Samantha and Shawn, with their son, Alexander, visited most every day. Camilla, Amanda (with husband and daughter), Melissa (with family), Rachel, Mary Ann, and his wife’s cousins Matthew and Sharon, all came to visit and spend time with him. He received letters and recordings from a lot of his family. He never showed a sign of depression. He said: “The Lord is calling me home.” And in that notion, he found his solace and perseverance to live to his fullest ability each remaining day. He laughed and loved and showed off his work around the house.

His children collectively say that he taught them so much, but one lesson they all had in common was work ethic. His social skills and work ethic were such strong qualities, they resonated in each of his children, and many others around him. He led by example with traits strongly rooted in respect for all people and matters. He was a sensitive and caring son, brother, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

His family is sorrowful for the great man they have lost, but also relieved that his suffering has ended. May he rest in peace.