Annie Lee Turner

8/18/1943 - 6/9/2026

Mrs. Annie Lee Turner, age 82, peacefully entered eternal rest on June 9, 2026.

Born on August 18, 1943, in Wabbaseka, Arkansas, Annie Lee was the eldest child of James Kelly, Jr. and Elnora Kelly. She was raised in a large and loving family and carried the values of faith, hard work, resilience, and family devotion throughout her life.

At the age of 18, Annie Lee moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she built a life centered around faith, family, and service to others. She was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church during her years in Chicago. In 1999, she relocated to Pahrump, Nevada, where she continued to build community and deepen her faith. In September 2000, she joined Church of the Harvest, where she remained a faithful and devoted member for the remainder of her life.

Annie Lee was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was united in marriage to her beloved husband, Ben J. Turner, who preceded her in death in 2010. Together they built a family and a legacy that continues through generations.

Known for her strength, wisdom, fierce loyalty, and unwavering faith, Annie Lee was a woman who believed in doing things the right way. She was stylish, independent, hardworking, and never accepted half-effort from herself or anyone else. She was a gifted storyteller, an excellent cook, and a trusted source of advice and encouragement. She cared deeply for her family, loved the Lord, and lived her life with purpose and determination.

A dedicated worker throughout her life, Annie Lee owned and operated her own housekeeping business for more than three decades, serving families throughout Chicago and the northern suburbs. Even after relocating to Nevada, she remained active in the workforce, working at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas as well as a local nursing home in Pahrump. Family members often joked that Annie Lee never saw a cleaning job she couldn't handle.

Annie Lee was preceded in death by her parents, James Kelly, Jr. and Elnora Kelly; her husband, Ben J. Turner; her children, Veronica Kelly, Yvette Turner, Tracy Turner, Teresa Turner, and Barbara Woodfork; her grandson, Bartell Woodfork; and her siblings Reverend Theodis Kelly, Bertha Kelly Withers, Alberta Kelly Mathews, Caldora Kelly Singleton, Lucille Kelly Jones, and Dorothy Jean Kelly Moore.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving children, Charlene White and Lavatior Bruce Turner; her grandchildren, Sharon White, Shawn White, Sonny White, April White, Henry White, Katina Woodfork, Jesse Woodfork, Tia Evelyn Stokes, Shanita Kelly, Marcus Kelly, Fallian Kelly, and Melvin Kelly; her siblings, Mary Kelly Davis, Maxine Kelly Wood, Barbara Kelly Jenkins, Clarence Kelly, Freddie Kelly, Charles Kelly, and Andrew Horton Kelly; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, church family, and dear friends.

Annie Lee's legacy of faith, strength, perseverance, love, and family devotion will continue to live on through the many lives she touched. She will be remembered for her wisdom, her stories, her cooking, her sense of style, her work ethic, her love for her family, and her unwavering trust in God.

Celebration of Life

Family and friends are invited to join us for a Celebration of Life honoring Annie Lee Turner:

Sunday, July 5, 2026
12:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Bemis Woods South – Large Grove #4
1110 Ogden Avenue
Western Springs, Illinois

In true Annie Lee fashion, this gathering will be a family BBQ-style celebration filled with food, music, fellowship, laughter, and memories as we honor and celebrate her remarkable life.

The Turner and Kelly families extend their sincere gratitude for the prayers, love, support, and kindness shown during this time of bereavement.