The Reverend Johnny Matthew Turner, Jr. passed away peacefully at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland on Wednesday, February 19, 2019. Born on April 25, 1929 in Cheneyville, Louisiana, Reverend Turner was the first of ten children born to the late Johnny Matthew Turner, Sr. and Irma Turner.  He grew up in Beaumont, Texas where he attended elementary school and graduated from Charlton High School.  He earned both a Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree in Education from Southern University and A& M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  A self-described “soldier” and “warrior”, Reverend Turner was a Korean War veteran.  He taught High School in Natchitoches, Louisiana and was an educator for 36 years in Orange public schools.

Reverend Turner served as Associate Minister at Mount Olive Baptist Church. He loved studying the Word of God, teaching, counseling/advising, evangelizing, and ministering to people of all ages. He was truly a “people person” who inspired and touched the lives of many people with his infectious smile and extraordinary generosity.

Reverend Turner leaves to mourn, and will forever be remembered by:  his beloved wife of 57 years, Mrs. Gladys Taylor Turner; one devoted daughter, Tonya Johnyque Turner; five loving sisters, Celestine (Charles) Jiles, Lura Devaull, Flora Baugh, Irma J. Walls, and Ruth Mattere; one brother, Leroy (Annie) Turner; and two sisters in-law, Gloria Taylor and Laverdia Taylor Roach; along with countless other family members and friends.

Family and friends are invited to participate in a “Consolation, Jubilation, Celebration” service to honor the life of Reverend Turner (affectionately known to his students as “Mr. T”) on Friday, March 8, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center of Mount Olive Baptist Church located at 106 West Park Avenue, Orange, Texas.  The funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the Mount Olive Baptist Church sanctuary.