BOYKINS—Marie Newton Beale Turner of Boykins passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2013. Mrs. Turner was born in Southampton County to Otelia Newton Beale and Ewell Thomas Beale on May 16, 1920. She attended Boykins High School, graduating in 1937. Marie received a Teacher’s Certificate from Farmville State Teachers’ College, now Longwood University. She then taught in Newsoms, Drewryville, and Capron for 42 years, retiring from Capron Elementary School in 1982.

Throughout her life she enjoyed hobbies of playing bridge, growing and arranging flowers, reading, knitting, crewel embroidering, decorating, and needlepointing. Marie was christened at and grew up attending Branchville United Methodist Church, serving during her developing years as President of the Rosebud Society. In 1945 she married James Thomas Turner, Jr. Once married, she joined Persons United Methodist Church. She became an active member, serving as Treasurer, part time teacher of the Adult Bible Class, a member of the Parsonage and Pastor-Parish Relations Committees, and chaired the Committees on Evangelism and Finance. Marie was a member of the Southampton Historical Society, a charter member of the Jerusalem Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and an associate member of the Drewryville Woman’s Club. She was a member of the Franklin–Southampton Retired Teachers Association, the Sunshine Club, and the Associate Sheriff’s Association. She was a lifetime member of the Virginia Education Association, and a member of the Lunch Bunch, which consisted of teachers who started teaching together in 1940 and their descendants.

Survivors include two nieces – Susan Smith Bowles and her husband, Rodney Bryant Bowles, and Hilda Beale Maggard; two nephews – William Thomas Smith and Joseph Thurman Beale and his wife, Barbara Edwards Beale; three great nephews – Jeffrey Bryant Bowles, Douglas Craig Beale, and Daniel Edward Beale; twin great-great nieces – Ava and Emma Beale, and a sister-in-law – Marie Bryan Beale. Her loved in-laws include – nephew, Hunter Person Raiford, deceased, and wife Arlene Rawls Raiford, a great nephew – Neil Hunter Raiford, and three great nephews – Benjamin, Thomas, and Turner Raiford. She is also survived by a host of friends and caring neighbors. Marie was predeceased by her husband, Jimmy, of 54 years, her brother, Ewell Thomas Beale, Jr., and her sister, Martha Beale Netto.

A service to celebrate Marie’s long and rich life will be held at Persons United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2013, with the Reverend Michael Baugham officiating. Interment will follow in the Persons Church Cemetery. Friends are invited to join her family for a reception to honor Marie at Boykins United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall immediately following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Marie’s honor may be made to the Persons Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Mrs. Thomas Holiday, 14901 Davis Lane, Branchville, VA 23828. Wright Funeral Home, Boykins Chapel, is handling arrangements. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.