Mother Cleo Turner

Cleo Turner, 85, a loving and spiritual mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who resided in South Bend, IN, has departed this life on Monday, August 28, 2023, at 7:15 a.m., at Briarcliff Health and Rehabilitation.

Missionary Turner was born to the Union of Cozy and L.E. Gathright on December 21, 1937, in Hermandale, Missouri. However, she was raised in Blytheville, Arkansas, and attended the local public school system. In 1958, she moved to South Bend, Indiana to be closer to family. Missionary Turner was married to Don Turner Jr., for 27 years before his passing on October 31, 2001.

In 1999, she received a certificate of completion from Charles Harrison Mason Bible College. Missionary Turner worked in the Sterile Processing Department at Memorial Hospital until she retired after 24 years of dedication. She was an active member of Mount Zion C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of Elder Hayes Taylor, where she served as a nurse of her local home ministry; district and the jurisdiction, assistant president of the prayer and Bible band; Sunday school teacher, president of the food pantry and outreach ministry.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sisters: Mittie Ann Smith and Annie Mae Pointer; three brothers: L.C.[ a.k.a. Jack] Gathright, Cozy Gathright and Zeb Gathright; one granddaughter, Stacia Jennings; and, best friend, Zate Murphy.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory four children: Elvis [a.k.a. Peter] Benson, Charlene Benson, Rodney [Stacy] Jennings, and Diane [Keith] Brazier all of South Bend, Indiana; ten grandchildren: Sharday Benson, Roshanda Benson, Lashanda Frison, Rodrell Jennings, Rodrick Jennings, Martel Pope, Jalen Jennings, Sanae Jennings, Conni Hicks and Keith Brazier Jr.; eleven great-grandchildren; and one sister, Dorothy [Willie] Carter, all of South Bend; six godchildren: Merrie Minor, Ferri Bynum, Valerie Mallard, Chris Georgia, Nicole Mitchell and Gabrielle Dortch; along with a host of family and friends.

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