John Frederick Turnage
December 30, 1935 ~ July 31, 2011
John Frederick Earl Turnage, age 75, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. Born December 30, 1935 in Edgecombe County, he was the son of the late Clarence Earl Turnage and Stella Mae Davenport Turnage.
Fred was a life-long resident of Rocky Mount. He graduated from Rocky Mount High School, Wake Forest University and Wake Forest University School of Law. Fred was a member of Lakeside Baptist Church.
He was a dedicated servant of the Rocky Mount area and served in many leadership roles including 34 years as the mayor of Rocky Mount, Past Chairman of the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Upper Coastal Plain Learning Council, President of the North Carolina League of Municipalities, served as Board Member for the National League of Municipalities and on the North Carolina Local Government Commission, President of the Electric Cities of North Carolina and numerous other Boards and Commissions committed to the well-being of the Rocky Mount Community.
Fred's dedication to the Rocky Mount area and its citizens was best demonstrated by his loving and caring nature. He believed in a mission to help people and committed himself to causes that benefited his fellow man. He touched so many people through his public life and his 50 years as a practicing attorney in Rocky Mount.
Fred's true spirit was revealed in his love for his family: his wife of 51 years, Norma; his son, John and his wife Beth; his daughter, Trevor and her husband Tommy Lane; his five grandchildren, Elizabeth, Olivia, Charlie, Robert and Graham; and his sister, Kay McGregor and her husband Carl.
The family will receive friends 6:30pm to 8:30pm Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at Lakeside Baptist Church. A service to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00am Wednesday morning at Lakeside Baptist Church.
The family wishes to thank the nursing staff of Nash General Hospital's fourth floor, Home Health nurses, Sonja, Gloria, Jeanette, and Carla plus a special note of gratitude to Dr. Dan Crocker and his staff for their loving and attentive care.
Memorials can be made to Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804 or the Frederick E. Turnage Chapter of the American Red Cross, 326 S. Franklin Street, Rocky Mount NC 27804.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Lakeside Baptist Church
1501 Sunset Avenue
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Tuesday 8/2, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Service
Lakeside Baptist Church
1501 Sunset Avenue
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Wednesday 8/3, 11:00 am
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Fred was the most fair and just man I have ever known. Rocky Mount has lost its greatest fan and the rest of us have lost a trusted friend. Thank you Fred for all the wonderful years of service to our city. My condolences to the family and to the city of Rocky Mount that he so loved. Judy H. Park
Fred was a great friend and terrific mayor to all of the citizens of Rocky Mount. He will be missed by all of us. Pat and Johnny Wooten
I am David Lowe from Lincolnton, NC…I met Fred in the late 1970’s and spent many hours working with him in meetings at Electricities and the North Carolina League of Municipalities. We became good friends and enjoyed many hours of good conversation. I am so sorry he is gone and will put Fred’s family on my prayer chain.
Lit a candle in memory of John Frederick Turnage
Lit a candle in memory of John Frederick Turnage
Lit a candle in memory of John Frederick Turnage
Mrs. Turnage & Famly, Tim and I are so sorry for your loss. John, please know that we are thinking about you and your entire family. May your memories help you find some peace. We will continue to keep you and your family in our prayers. Tim & Rose Tilley
Norma and family — There is just no way to convey my sincere sympathy in the loss of such a wonderful person. I admired and respected him so much. He was one of the first people to welcome Clayton and me to Rocky Mount back in 1964 and continued to be a dear friend. Working with him and knowing him has enriched my life and I will truly miss that big smile and sincere friendly hug whenever I chanced to see him. Rocky Mount, along with your family has lost a true gentleman and friend. May God keep you all in this hand and give you comfort.
We have truly lost a special person. I’ve always told him that I may be from Enfield, but he’ll always be my Mayor! My thoughts and prayers are with each of you! Delores (Jennie) Ward
Sent a gift in memory of John Frederick Turnage
John, Sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Lit a candle in memory of John Frederick Turnage
Lit a candle in memory of John Frederick Turnage
Lit a candle in memory of John Frederick Turnage
Lit a candle in memory of John Frederick Turnage
Lit a candle in memory of John Frederick Turnage
Lit a candle in memory of John Frederick Turnage
Lit a candle in memory of John Frederick Turnage
Lit a candle in memory of John Frederick Turnage
Lit a candle in memory of John Frederick Turnage
Lit a candle in memory of John Frederick Turnage
My mother was a GARRIS and apparently Fred’s and his family knew her mother (my grandmother) as they were growing up, so he was like a member of our family ever since I was old enough to remember him. He always spoke so nicely of the Garris family and treated me just like I was related to him. I even had the pleasure of employing his daughter Trevor at my very first location of JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED RESTAURANT when we were located uptown. I really don’t know what I would have done without her. She was so young, but handled the job with ease and I had complete trust in her knowing that she was Mayor Turnage’s daughter. A few years ago when Fred retired from serving as Mayor and he decided to invite everyone to a grand affair at The Imperial Centre, I had the pleasure of bringing him a photo of the 2 of us taken about 20 years earlier at one of the restaurant’s anniversary celebrations. He seemed to get a genuine thrill out of seeing us both so young and so THIN. I loved him so much for all he did for our city and for the way he treated me as though I was always someone very important, when I am actually no different than any of you. I will miss you my good friend, but I KNOW you are in heaven wearing a crown of gold with many jewels for all the wonderful unselfish deeds you did for thousands of people. Billy Vick Rocky Mount, NC
Fred, what at hoot. We shared a lot of laughs together riding aound Westhaven, solving the worlds problems on Sunday mornings before church at Lakeside. He always liked the duets with Norma. Time is one of life’s pleasures that is always in short supply. Therefore I will always treasure my time knowing Fred Turnage. A MAN BORN TO SERVE. Brent and Jo Anne Bishop Tyndall
I first met Fred, Norma, John,and Trevor in 1975 when I became an intern in Fred’s law office. What an awesome family! Fred shared so much with me, as he did with all of his fellow human beings. He always gave unselfishly to his family, church, employees, the city of Rocky Mount, as well as all the other lives he touched. Fred was a very special man, and my heartfelt prayers go out to all of his family. Jim Smith Edenton, NC
John and Beth and family–Please know that my prayers are with you and your family. Mr. Turnage will be remembered for more than his contributions to society. He was simply a very nice man. May you take time and embrace his memory as you share with each other precious moments. God be with each of you.
Dear Norma We are saddened to learn of the death of Mayor Turnage, affectionately known as Fred to so many. His impact on the City of Rocky Mount, the citizens he served, and those of us that were fortunate to consider him a friend is without measure. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Wishing you precious thoughts and peaceful memories, J. J. Ray and Family
NORMA,I HAVE KNOWN AND FOLLOWED THE TWO OF YOU ALL OF MY LIFE,AND I HAVE FOUND IT IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND ANYONE BETTER.FRED WAS A TRUE GENTLEMAN AND STATESMAN.MAY HE REST IN PEACE,AND MAY GOD BE WITH YOU. DICKIE&FAYE LANE
Trevor and family Drew and I were so saddened to hear about your Dad. He was a wonderful man and always so proud of you . You were certainly a very special person in his world. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all during these difficult times. Theresa and Drew Harrell
Rocky Mount has truly lost one of the greatest leaders it will EVER have. Well done thy great and faithful servant.
Dear Norma, I just read of Fred’s death and want you to know of my deepest sympathy and understanding. He was a true gentleman of the highest rank, a dedicated public servant and friend indeed to so many who loved and admired him. Please know that you are in my prayers today and will be in the days ahead. I join you now in sorrow, while also joining you in celebration of his extraordinarily beautiful life. Sincerely, Carlyle Gay
Norma, Please know that I have you in my heart and prayers. John was always the gentleman, intelligent, and so very personable. I have good memories of our being together at the NCCC meetings. Ann Turlington
Lit a candle in memory of John Frederick Turnage
Lit a candle in memory of John Frederick Turnage
Lit a candle in memory of John Frederick Turnage
Norma, Our thoughts and prayers are with you always, and especially now during this time of sorrow. Tommy & Barbara Sasser
… what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God That was Fred. A lot of nice things are being said about a lot of big things he was involved in, but I will always remember him simply as someone who managed in an increasingly uncivil world to be a good and kind and decent man who truly cared for others.
Sent a gift in memory of John Frederick Turnage
Norma, Ruth and I send warm wishes to you and your family. I met Fred while serving with you on the State Bd of CC. Our prayers are with you—-Herman Porter