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Mr. Walter Cornell Turner was born February 13, 1939 in Henry County, VA to Annie Maude Watkins and the late Stafford Richard Turner.  He was one of nine children.  He departed this life on Sunday, January 2, 2011 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC.

He received his education in the Henry County Public School System.  He was employed by Fieldcrest Mills for over twenty-eight years until he became disabled.

He joined Mount Olive East Christian Church at an early age then moved his membership to New Light Baptist Church in December 1996.  He attended church faithfully until his health began to fail in the last year.  He was a member of the Men of Honor Ministry.

He was married to the former Dorothy Lee Penn for 53 years and to this union five children were born.  He was a dedicated family man who always met the needs of his wife, children and grandchildren.  He loved his great-grandchildren very much and spoiled them whenever he could.  Education was very important to him so always encouraged his children and grandchildren to further their education.

He was preceded in death by his father, Stafford Turner; as well as two brothers, Ernest Carlton Turner and Richard Thomas Turner and a sister, Rev. Delores A. Turner.

He leaves to cherish his memory:  his wife, Dorothy Lee Turner, of the home; three daughters, Deborah Turner Dillard of Martinsville, VA; Lynette Turner, of the home; and Shelia Joi (Ed) Rumley, of Spencer, VA; two sons, Edward Leon (Sandra) Turner, of Ridgeway, VA; and Efrem Dwayne (Joyce Leggins) Turner of Greensboro, NC; eight grandchildren, Isaac, Ivory, Angelique, Jordan, Aaroa, Taylor, Deion, and Samantha; six great-grandchildren, Jaycob, Montrice, Isaiah, Kayla, Asa and Ariah, his mother, Annie Maude Turner; three sisters, Bobbie Jean Woods, Geraldine Turner and Gladys (John) Redd, all of Martinsville, VA; two brothers, Willie (Pat) Turner, of Martinsville, VA; and Clyde (Rita) Turner, of Roanoke, VA; two aunts, Geneva Draper and Catherine Hairston; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He will forever be fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In the words of his late sister, Rev. Delores "Peaches" Turner, in circumstances like this we always wonder what or how,  but we need to lean on who and the 'who' being Jesus Christ.  Let God's will be done.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 1:00 PM at Mayo Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Troy Beasley, officiating.  Burial will follow in Carver Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Hines Funeral Services, Inc.