Mary Kathryn Shook Turner

Mary Kathryn Shook Turner, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, departed this life on Thursday, October 18, 2012, with her four loving children at her side. She was preceded in death nearly five years ago by her husband of 59 years, David Herschel Turner Sr., M.D.

Mary was a caring person. She cared for her family. She cared about her faith. She took care of her friends. She was compassionate, generous, fastidious, creative, forgiving, organized, determined. Among the many people whose lives she touched, some will recall a smile, a song, a card, a check, homemade candy, a poem, a quilt – some gift with a personal touch – always given with care, not fanfare.

Mary was a nurturer. She worked to put Dave through medical school. She bolstered her church. She called people by their names. She remembered birthdays. She supported good causes. She reached out to fill needs, with no expectation of reward or praise or notice.

Mary was proud to be a coal miner’s daughter from Tracy City, in Grundy County, Tenn., where she was born Jan. 2, 1929. She graduated from Marion County High School and attended David Lipscomb College in Nashville. She was proud to be the wife of a skilled and caring physician, to be an appreciated mother and grandmother, to be a devoted member of Tyner Church of Christ. She was active in the Stonehenge Community Club, the Lake Hills Garden Club, The Sweet Adelines, The Women’s Auxiliary of the Hamilton County Medical Society. She was thankful for her blessings and the chance to share them.

Mary was a breast cancer survivor for 43 years. Despite other medical hardships, she rarely complained, often had a song on her lips and always was concerned about others. She carried on – thrilled that she had so much to live for and the chance to do it.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, James Reid and Mabel Thomas Shook; and her brother, James Newman Shook.

Survivors include four children: daughter Kathryn Reid “Kathy” Lucas and husband Mark, of Houston; three sons, David Herschel Turner Jr. and wife, Vicki, of San Diego; Thomas Shook Turner and Paul James Turner, Chattanooga. Her sister, Clara Anne “Perky” Brown, Jasper; three grandchildren, Mary Kathryn “Katie” Lucas, Dallas; Elizabeth Duncan “Bess” Turner and William Reid “Will” Turner, Chattanooga; many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, each of whom she dearly loved.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Chattanooga Funeral Home, East Chapel, 404 S. Moore Road, Chattanooga, TN 37412. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with longtime family friend John Cupp officiating. Nephew John Lofty will lead the singing of several favorite hymns. Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Marion County, where the service will resume at graveside at 12:30 p.m. CDT (1:30 p.m. EDT).

Memorial contributions may be made to Martin-Boyd Christian Center, 6845 Standifer Gap Road, Chattanooga, TN, 37421; or to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4355 Highway 58, Suite 101, 58 Commons Building, Chattanooga, TN 37416.