Dillon Gerrald "Jerry" Turner

Cheraw, SC

Dillon Gerrald "Jerry" Turner, Sr., 84, died Thursday, October, 26, 2017. Born in Marion County (Rains), SC, he was a son of the late Henry Clark and Ina Eulee Gerrald Turner. He was a 1951 graduate of Rains High School and attended Wofford College. Mr. Turner retired in 1991 from Southern Bell Telephone Company with 38 years of service. Upon his retirement he received Life membership in the Telephone Pioneers of America and he regularly attended meetings in Florence, SC.  He had 26 years of service in the South Carolina National Guard, from which he retired in 1977. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Cheraw, SC. In the church he served in many capacities as member and/or chair of the Trustees, Staff-Parrish Relations, Building, Nominations, and Family Life Committees. He was formerly President of the United Methodist Men and was a vital part of the annual United Methodist BBQ for many years. Mr. Turner was also a member of the Men’s Bible Class. He was awarded Father of the Year Award by the United Methodist Women and also was a recipient of the Roy Smith Humanitarian Award presented by the Mission Ministry Team. In the 1970’s, he began his involvement in the Boy Scouts of America (Troop 655) and became more actively involved especially during his years of retirement, serving as Troop Committee Chairman. He received the Silver Beaver Award (2000) from the Pee Dee Area Council and the Vigil Honor of the Order of the Arrow (2002) and District Award of Merit (2002). Numerous Scouts received Eagle Scout recognition because of the influential help and assistance of Mr. Turner, which brought him great joy and honor. Just within the last week he had helped a recent recipient. Along with his wife, he enjoyed gardening and yardwork and was been awarded “Yard of the Month” by the Four Seasons Garden Club. Mr. Turner was an avid Gamecock fan and a supporter of Cheraw High School Athletics. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and church member. He was described as “loyal to his family, loyal to his church and loyal to his friends.”

He is survived by his adoring wife Patricia “Trish” Morgan Turner (51 years of marriage) of the home; a son, Dillon “Gerrald” Turner, Jr. and his devoted girlfriend Lib Owen, Chesterfield, SC; a daughter, Shannon (Jeffery) Johnson and only grandchild, Kathryn Johnson, of McFarlan, NC; sisters, Marilyn Faust of Virginia Beach, VA, Ralley Sue Shirley of Taylors, SC and Mary Beth Tanck of Lexington, KY.

He was preceded in death by his parents listed above, and also brothers, Randolph Turner, William Turner and sisters, Minnie Evelyn Turner and Joretta Turner.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM, Sunday, October 29, 2017 in First United Methodist Church Fellowship Building. A funeral service will be held 2:00 PM, Sunday, October 29, 2017 at First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Chatham Hill Memorial Gardens.

Memorials to: First United Methodist Church, 117 Third Street, Cheraw, SC 29520 or Boy Scout Troop 655, c/o FUMC 117 Third Street, Cheraw, SC 29520.

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