Bro James Turner's Celebration of Life

A True Godly Man

Thank you all for joining us today, as we celebrate the life of this dear man. He was so much to so many!

I would like to say it is an deep and extreme honor to represent Bro James Turner and you the family today!

I would also like to say, that this family has done an amazing job caring for their precious Dad/Pop/Brother!

Lisa, we thank you! Through your help we got an extra year and a half with him. Ya’ll’s fishing adventures and your care brought a new spirit of life back into his life!

Obit........James Albert Turner, age 92 of Flomaton, AL, passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2023 at an Atmore, AL health care facility.

Mr. Turner was born in Flomaton, AL and had lived most of his life in this area.  He was a veteran of the Korean War, having served with the U.S. Army.  He retired as a foreman at Monsanto.  He enjoyed fishing and farming.  He was a member of Friendship Freewill Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon.  Mr. Turner was preceded in death by his wife Irma Lou Turner; his parents, Bert Turner and Katie Sunday Turner; a sister, Catherine Welch; and a brother, Charles Billy Turner.

He is survived by a son, Sam (Tammy) Turner of Flomaton; brothers, T.J. Turner of Athens, AL, Melvin "Cowboy" Turner of Flomaton, Edward Turner of Brewton; two grandchildren, Craig (Shannon) Turner and Tiffaney (A.J.) Daugherty; six great-grandchildren, Abigail, Lillie, Izzie, Anna, Millie, and Andrew; a number of nieces and nephews.

James, the half-brother of our Lord, summed up what Bro James was to us: James 1:17-18 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

Bro James was truly that gift for us.....

Verse 18 speaks of God’s own that through His word of truth, will we (that believe) be the firstfruits of His creatures......

In other words, the Christian is the first evidence of the life to come, their evidence is in their life with Christ!

Most of all the characteristics of Bro James’ life is summed in those 2 verses.

If you knew him any at all, he was a gift to you, and you would be well aware of that. Through Bro James’ life he displayed the beauty of the future hope that we have in Christ.......LOVE!

He always displayed 1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

Kim, Bro James’ niece, wrote most eloquently about him, one part seemed to sum this up.......He’s been on that road so long just walking with his Savior. His walk was steady. His faith was true. His example was exemplary and his love for God was great. His witness was his life and what a life he lived. He lived it serving his country,his church and his community. Most of all,he lived it leading, guiding and loving his family.For almost 93 years, he walked this life with a quiet dignity and a bold belief to always do the right thing. Probably most would say,he lived a good and full life. All that truly knew him would definitely say he lived a fruitful and Godly life. I am a testament to that truth. As a child, he did a simple thing for me. Simple… yes, but for a child, he did one of the greatest things a person can ever do. He took me to church. I was saved in that church. It was there that I began my walk with Jesus. A walk not as faithful and steady as his but I work at it every day and keep plodding on. I’m thankful for my Uncle Jim helping me begin my journey.

This is how we knew Bro James! He was a gentle giant!

One of the most difficult tasks is trying to go through all the memories! There are so many! I can guarantee you that most of us here could close our eyes and recall wonderful memories! For me, there are too many to count, some good, some were rough times but being with Bro James during those times made the rough times easier!

I use this verse in a lot of Celebrations of Life: Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

True, Honest, Just, Pure, Lovely, Good Report.........These characteristics are true of Jesus Christ and those that follow Him!

They are also true of Bro James, those memories are virtuous and praiseworthy! They are worth remembering!

I have often said, that our family members (Bro James) put a lot of effort making those memories......let us then think on those good things!

Everyone has those special memories......I see that fryer by his sink in the kitchen, where he has fried me up some chicken tenders, but what I remember most is him telling about the girls (grandgirls) coming over and him frying them up some.

Most my time spent with Bro James, he would tell me about his family! If you are kin to Bro James, he knew in great detail about your life and he loved you very much!

He was invested with his heart into your life! Craig told me a couple weeks ago that during one of his episodes, he called them programs, that Bro James was talking about Craig graduating from college, he knew what year and more details. Craig said that he himself had trouble remembering all of that, but Bro James didn’t!

That was his life! He loved all the family, but especially Sam, Tammy, Craig, Shannon, Abigail, Lillie, Izzie, Tiffer, AJ, Anna, Millie, Andrew!

He confessed to me he spoiled Sam, when he wanted a motorcycle, Sis Irma tried to bribe Sam not to get something else, but Sam wanted that motorcycle, Bro James told me that he broke down and bought Sam that motorcycle!

Good thing he did, cause Sam told me yesterday that he went to the creek on that motorcycle and that is where he met Tammy!

He loved his siblings greatly, too! When Bro Cowboy would call while I was visiting, Bro James would answer the phone and say “Speak O Great One!”

Some of the kin folks that I have never met, he would tell me a great deal about their lives! Because he loved them and was invested with his heart in their lives!

Bro Cowboy told me that in all those years of farming together they would sit down and tally up everything at the end of the year. In all those times they never had a cross word!

He also told me that Bro James loaned him $20 and went with him so that him and Mrs. Patricia could get married!

Sis Ann Green told me that Bro James carried her Bro Frank to get married in Mississippi!

He was great facilitator of marriage! LOL!

Most of you have heard about the stories of fruit picking in California and in Florida! The family probably knows this but did you know that Bro James was the champion cherry-picker in that day!

There many times he spoke of fruit picking.....I would say to him..... “those were the good old days” and he would tell me “No they weren’t!”

He loved camping and fishing with Bro Bob and Sis Melba! They had a wonderful time together, he would say that in all that time

He served his country well, as he fought in the Korean War, many stories he told about the war, but one thing I remember him saying when he would testify at church........When he was in Korea, he knew that if he didn’t do anything stupid he would be ok, because he knew his mom and dad were praying for him!

I think I remember something to the extent of his mom while she was in the field started praying for him at some kind of news they heard!

Another great memory that I have of him, is his love for his wife Irma! When I was younger and even after I met my wife, we sat behind him and Irma. When we stood for prayer, he would take his arm and grab her close as we prayed!

That is a simple act, but it spoke volumes to me........and when Sis Irma got sick that love produced itself in his care for his wife!

He missed her so and he was ready to see her and they have been reunited in God glorious Kingdom!

One personal memory I have, there are many! I had my knee replaced in 2012, when I got home from the hospital, he would come spend everyday with me, as I rehabbed my knee.

He would say I just want to make sure you were doing what you are supposed to do! He would bring me lunch!

He loved his church family! He was faithful, he cared about everyone......

He would always call me concerned about someone! He supported everything that the church has done. Whether it was young or old, he was there giving his support!

I am sure most of you have memories like that of Bro James! I could go on and on! I can pick out a lot of you and tell you how much you meant to him, especially his immediate family! But all of you know these memories because you lived them!

Cherish those good memories! Do not let this day determine your thoughts, let those beautiful memories, the good things fill your mind and hearts!

Before, I get to the next part, I would like to say this and it sums up the life of this dear man!

Sunday, before he passed, Sam said that his dad would hold his hands out and sing just as pretty “I love everybody”. Sam said he sung about 20 times!

I was telling Cathy Grantham about that and she said that is word from “Old Time Religion”

That Old Time Religion (The Gospel of Jesus Christ) Makes me love everybody........That sums up Bro James!

On Sunday, there was a little billy goat (kid) born, his father’s names was Albert and the named his son James.

His name lives on, but I will say with confidence that James Albert Turner will live on in our hearts and minds to will meet again!

Pray........

I have so much more to say, but I wanted, let me say I feel I must speak on this for a few moments......

My dad used to tell me when I was a youngin....... “Son, if you ever want to pattern your life after someone, pattern it after James Albert Turner.” On many occasions he has told me that! I have often thought of what he said and as time has went on I have served with Bro James as a Christian brother for years, served together as deacons, and as pastor and deacon! All with me learning as I go!

This all brought to mind one simple verse that the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians church.......1 Corinthians 11:1 “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”

This was not arrogance on the part of the apostle, just a statement of fact, that he had submitted his life to Jesus Christ and if you want to know the True Christ just follow him!

That is what my dad meant and what I know now of Bro James! It is the most important part about Bro James’ life!

I heard an old preacher say that he never truly knew a man till he prayed with them.......well, that is one of my most precious memories of Bro James!

Before he got too sick, when I would visit, as I would get up to leave we would always pray. When we would start to pray he would hold out his arms wide and we would hug and that is how we would pray! 2 big ole men embraced together praying to the Lord we serve! I will never forget that!

I was just letting the Lord minister to me about this truth and Galatians 5:22-23 came to mind............ “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

I can honestly say that I have seen these active in Bro James’ life, everyone! I was going to point out each one but we would be here forever!

Just to say the James Albert was a faithful and kind servant!

Another verse flooded my mind: Romans 12:9 “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”

That first part is so true in the life of faith......Loving purely & sincerely without self-centeredness!

I can speak to that love, because he displayed it.

Whenever we discussed church stuff one of his main concerns was how it would effect this one or that one.

Let’s just say he didn’t let anything get in the way of showing his love and concern for everyone!

Finally, there is passage from Paul to Timothy 2 Timothy 4:6-8 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

At the close of his life, Paul, spoke of his earthly walk.....in so doing epitomized Bro James’ life!

He fought the good fight of faith.......to believe in Christ above all things is the target of faith, Bro James did that!

On many occasions Bro James would say that we must go by the Bible!

His service to the Lord, the race/course that Bro James was given in this life he completed by faith.

It wasn’t always easy but he trusted more in Jesus Christ than he did in any earthly outcome!

He served His Lord well, he served the body of Christ well!

There is a western that I love and I believe Bro James had a DVD of this movie.

In that western on of the scouts died on a cattle drive, the scout served with the folks that he was with in the Texas Rangers.

The captain of the rangers wrote an epitaph on this scouts head board and in my opinion it speaks to the life of Bro James, I would like to read it:

Cheerful in all weather, Never shirked a task, Splendid behavior!

I have served with Bro James and that is my report of Bro James! He has fought the good fight, finished his race, kept the faith!

My dad would also tell us about Bro James, that if there was ever anyone that would a jewel in his crown it would be James Albert!

What I do know now is that he has received his crown of righteousness, which the Lord Himself will give!

Sam said Sunday that Bro James looked up and said he saw Jesus, the door of Heaven was opened for kind, gentle, follower of Christ to enter and receive that crown of righteousness!

One of the greatest realities of Heaven is the presence of the Lord.....King David said it this way: Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Oh, the glories of Heaven is in the presence of the Lord!

There was also, on this past Lord’s day, a reunion of loved ones that have gone before him!

Can you imagine that reunion, as he walked through!

Revelation 21:3-4 gives us a glimpse.....“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

A reunion that is not hindered by crying, sorrow, pain, death! Perfection!

Revelation 22:3 “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:”

No more curse....all things are made new!!

What a glorious reality of what our dear Bro James is witnessing!

In closing, Cathy G. told me that my grandpa Nick Carden said when Bro James got saved: “The best man in the community just got saved.”

He was already a good man and God was preparing him for a greater service!

It has also been said in the last few days from many that we have lost a great Godly man, I have thought that there are not many left like Bro James!

However, the Lord has given us a precious gift in the faith of Bro James and if we set out to follow his life, you will find a man that has submitted his life to Jesus Christ and therefore your lives will be led in the same faith!

By living out the life of faith, we will fulfill the prayer of our dear brother! He would always close his pray at the end of a service this way: “Father, when you are through with us here, give us all a home in Heaven with You!

My prayer today is that we love and desire Jesus Christ as James Albert did and join him in a Glorious Reunion in Heaven!

Pray..........................