Janet M. Turner

Janet May Turner, homemaker and popular bridge partner, passed away at her home in Garland County on Tuesday, August 4, 2015. Her husband of 36 years, Clayton E. Turner, passed away in 1984. Janet is survived by her five devoted children: Kevin C. Turner (Nuala), executive sales director in Northfield, MN; Ann (Anya) Turner Grusecki (Robert), singer/songwriter in New York, NY; Matthew E. Turner (Jill) athletic director/head football coach in Gilmer, TX; Julie M. Turner, restaurant chef in Colorado Springs, CO; and Patricia E. Ange (Scott), educator in Memphis, TN. Also surviving are six grandchildren: Thad Turner, Kyle Turner, Tyler Turner (Rebekah), Hayley Turner Guevara (Javier), Caitlin Turner Cheatham (Clay), and Lucas Clayton Turner, six great-grandchildren: Ronan Guevara, Keira Guevara, Keenan Guevara, Barrett Matthew Cheatham, Titus Turner and Gabrielle Turner, two nephews: Harper Williams of Bloomington, MN and Mark Williams (Cindy) of Afton, IA, as well as a large and loving extended family.

Janet May Harper Turner, born May 2, 1928 in Creston, Iowa, was an American beauty of Scottish and Irish descent. Her father, D.W. Harper, was a country lawyer and her mother, Alice P. (Lennon) Harper, was a Home Economics teacher and homemaker. Janet’s older brother, Robert Bruce Harper, a pilot and graduate of the United States Naval Academy, was killed in 1946 when his plane was lost in the Atlantic Ocean during a nighttime training mission off the coast of Miami, Florida. Her older sister, the late Elizabeth Edwards, was a first-grade teacher in Winterset, Iowa. Janet and her husband Clayton, an agricultural seed sales manager, raised their five children in the Midwest (Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Nebraska) before relocating to the Lake Hamilton area in 1978. Her family, friends and neighbors enjoyed her delicious comfort food and homemade desserts. She was known for her apple pies. An avid reader (mysteries), she loved watching sporting events on television. She treasured the companionship of her long-time, loyal friends at The Bridge House and cherished her wonderful neighbors of more than 37 years. Janet loved her books, her kids, her friends, and her home.

The family would like to thank the members of Arkansas Hospice for their compassionate care and support.