Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. | MS

Obituary For Marian Laurent Turner

Funeral services will be Friday, April 23, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., Christ the King Catholic Church, 2303 John R. Lynch Street, Jackson, MS 39209 with burial Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 1:00 p.m., Wilson Cemetery in Covington, LA.

On Saturday, April 10, 2021, Marian Laurent Turner of Jackson, Mississippi, passed away at the age of 96. Marian was born on July 6, 1924, in Covington, Louisiana, to Daisy (McGill) and Van Laurent. She matriculated at Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and received her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Liberal Arts and Elementary Education and her Masters degree in Elementary Education. On December 30, 1948, she married Cornelius Turner and they reared four daughters: Lisa, Sheila, Adrianne, and Dorian.

From 1951 to 1986 Marian was employed by Jackson Public Schools (JPS), as an elementary school teacher, where she taught Reading and Language Arts at multiple elementary schools. She eventually moved to JPS central office where she worked with teachers focusing on reading instruction. Her love for reading and correct grammar were defining traits throughout her life, and she was renowned for sharing/teaching these traits and imbuing her students with a similar love. After leaving JPS, Marian worked for Hinds Community College for two years establishing an adult basic education program at Delphi Packard Electric in Clinton, Mississippi. From there she worked as a docent at the Governor’s Mansion during the Ray Mabus administration and after that, for the next thirteen years, as a docent at City Hall in Jackson, Mississippi, during the Kane Ditto and Harvey Johnson administrations. She ended her career working with the Barksdale Reading Institute where she helped teachers develop tutorial aids for kids. She finally retired in 2003.

While Marian was an accomplished woman with many talents, her most exceptional talent was her ability to connect and develop a rapport with people. Throughout her life she exuded a warmth, caring, and understanding that resonated with anyone who knew her and made her the heart of her family and oftentimes a surrogate mom to family friends. Two of her favorite activities were shopping and dining out which usually led to her becoming a “regular” at her favorite vendors. She was also a devout Catholic.

Marian is survived by her three daughters Lisa, Adrianne, and Dorian Turner; her grandchildren Amber (Mercury) Hall, Brandon (Devon) Washington, and Angel Lagunas; her great grandchildren Yana Hall and Cru Washington; her sister Daisy Blume; and her brother Willie Laurent. She was preceded in death by her husband Cornelius Turner; her daughter Sheila Washington; her parents Daisy and Van Laurent; her sister Dorothy Route; and her brothers Elvin, Van Jr., Leonard, Roy, Terry, and Harold Laurent. Marian will always be remembered for the love and devotion she brought to everyone and everything in her life, her effortless charm, and her remarkable strength.

The family will be offering Zoom services, the ID # 2879990393, passcode is 2468.

Guest Book

With deepest sympathies, from her relatives the Keys Family in Covington, LA

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Mrs. Turner, that's what my family and I call her, has lingered in my memory long after elementary school where she so wonderfully encouraged the love of learning and reading. She was an exceptional teacher and woman. We had great respect for each other, and I continued to learn a lot from her when our relationship continued during junior high and high school. I enjoyed babysitting for her and visiting her lovely home and savoring her Louisiana cooking. She was trusting, generous, caring, handsomely thin but strong ... beautiful in person and spirit. When my sister discovered her obituary and shared it with the family we all had some fond memories, pinging them during a group online conversation. Mrs. Turner will forever live as an extraordinary educator and human being.

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Marian Turner was one of the most gracious and empathetic people that I have ever known. Betsy and I feel so privileged to be one of her friends. No one could be a better example of a caring person and a good citizen in her community. Our hearts go out to her wonderful family and many close friends. Kane Ditto

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Family you have my deepest sympathy. Mrs. Turner was one of the teachers at Sallie Reynolds Elementary School when I attended. My oldest sister was a babysitter for the girls when the family lived on Valley Street. Mrs. Turner admired my sister because she was an avid reader and Mrs. Turner liked that.

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. | MS