Robert Turner

Robert Ray Turner, 71, of Chester, departed this life to be with our Heavenly Father on the evening of May 9, 2011 at Chippenham Medical Center after a lengthy illness. Born August 9, 1939 in Beckley, West Virginia, he was preceded in death by his father & mother, Luther & Beatrice Turner. As a soldier for the U.S. Army, he was proud to serve his country honorably in the Vietnam War. He worked 12 years in the coal mines in southwest Virginia and was an avid Mountaineer fan. A faithful Christian, he attended the Chester Church of Christ where he was always willing to serve in any capacity necessary. He was a man who always had a kind word and was willing to help anyone in need. He was always full of life and loved to laugh and sing. As a loving husband, father and grandfather, he is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Wilma Turner; a daughter, Jeannie Castlebury and her husband, Steve; a son, Stephen Turner and his wife, Elizabeth (E-Beth) all of Chester; grandchildren, Ashley Turner, Kathryn Turner, and Matthew Turner; great-granddaughter, his little "Sweet Pea," Aubrie Grace; numerous sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, who all loved him dearly, and his dog and faithful companion of 12 years, Peaches. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 12, 2011 in the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard with the Mr. Ed Barnes officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Chester. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.