Anne Shelton Turner

Anne Shelton Turner

In the very early morning of Saturday, April 17, 2021, Anne Shelton Turner, age 91, quietly slipped away beyond her family and friends as she moved past the limitations and frailties of this life following a very recent significant decline in her health.

Anne was born on a farm in Dry Fork, Virginia, where she grew up and she spent the latter years of her adult life in Henry County, very near Martinsville, Virginia.

She graduated from high school at what was once known as Whitmell Farm Life School in Pittsylvania County.

She also was employed by Dan River Mills in her early years and in her latter years she worked with her husband the late, James Turner, in the family gas station business.

Anne had a beautiful smile and a gregarious spirit that sweetened the lives of many of her closest friends.

Her passion was singing and she was an accomplished vocalist who won many trophies and accolades for her vocal talents as she would periodically travel to numerous venues to entertain others at various events.

Anne also had a soft spot in her heart for those who were confined to long term residential facilities and would often go there not only to visit friends and acquaintances, but also to bless groups of residents with her music.

She was a member of Hopewell Methodist Church in Dry Fork, Virginia.

Anne leaves behind her daughter, Jo Anne Owen (Claude) of Rustburg, Virginia; as well as her two grandchildren, Brandon Owen of Rustburg, Virginia, and Byron Owen of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and five great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her brother, Bobby Lee Shelton of Dry Fork, Virginia; along with a very special friend, John Lewis of Eden, North Carolina, many other cousins, nieces and nephews, and extended family who will greatly miss her happy and cheerful spirit.

Anne was preceded in death by her daughter, Cathy Marie Merricks and by her parents, Cosby M. Shelton and his wife, Georgia Daniel Shelton, of Dry Fork, Virginia. She was also preceded in death by first husband, Walter Bell Merricks Jr., who died at the age of 40 on June 30, 1967; as well as her husband, James Turner of Henry County, Virginia; and by her sister, Iris Nadeen Turner of Dry Fork, Virginia.

Anne's family is extremely appreciative for the support and love of her friends and staff at Commonwealth Senior Living – Stratford House in Danville, who took care of her during the final three years of her life.

A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April, 20, 2021, at Hopewell Methodist Church, 4585 Dry Fork Road, Dry Fork, Virginia. Family visitation will occur at the church at 1 p.m, one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be held following the service at the Highland Burial Park in Danville, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to support The Special Olympics of Virginia, 3212 Skipwith Road, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23294, 800-932-4653, or at info@specialolympicsva.org.

Scott Funeral Home

147 S Main St., Chatham, VA 24531