Karen Jo Sullenger Turner, 75, was received into the Kingdom of Heaven on December 16, 2024. She was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on July 19, 1949. Karen was the only daughter of the late Charles Haynes Sullenger, Sr. and the late Mrs. Tharon Jo Mason Sullenger. Most of her childhood was spent growing up on Wilmington Island in Savannah Georgia. During high school she worked with her parents at the Savannah State Crime Lab. She graduated from Savannah High School in 1968. After high school she remained in Savannah and worked at Sears and Roebuck-in the toy department, where she fell in love with David-who worked in tools. In 1970, she married Rev. David Wayne Turner at the Wilmington Island Presbyterian Church and they have been married for 54 years. David always wrote on every gift her pet name “Dinky”, a character from long ago, Dinky Duck. She adored this name.
They moved to Mooresville, NC and Forsythe, GA over the next several years. Karen was a homemaker for many years by this time, but God knew she was destined to help others. She may have been a pretty quiet person on the outside, but Karen had a talent for helping difficult people and in difficult situations. After moving to Okeechobee, FL she became a trainer and teacher at Eckerd Youth Development Center-a boys juvenile prison. She enjoyed helping them so much, she pursued her Bachelor’s degree from Barry University through night school while David used his short order cooking talents to feed the kids. The family moved to Barnwell, Sc where she shifted her work to law and earned her certification as a paralegal. She worked at several law firms over the years but the one area she enjoyed the most was cases involving accidents, especially trains. Karen loved science, reading and nature documentaries throughout her life-her favorite animal to learn about was Penguins. She was a big animal lover, since she couldn’t convince David to get her a penguin, she did find a love for dachshunds and cats.
Eventually the hustle and bustle of life slowed and retirement came. Karen chose the final move of the Turners had to be a place near grandchildren-so it was off to Gray Court, SC. She raised 3 children, but it was the 6 grandchildren that brought her the most joy. Even though health and memory declined over the years, she always had a sparkle in her eye whenever the grandkids came to talk about their days. Chocolate was always a staple in the house and most definitely a part of the sharing time. Even though it’s hard to say see you later, especially at Christmas time, we are so joy-filled that she gets to experience Heaven, at the most wonderful time of year. May there be one massive party in Heaven filled with love, hope, joy and her favorites-chocolate strawberries and peanut m and m’s.
She is predeceased by her half brothers Chuck Sullenger, Sr. and Robert Gross and her parents Charles Haynes Sullenger Sr. and Tharon Jo Mason Sullenger.
Surviving are her children: Shelley (Jen) Mason, Brett (Marianne) Turner of Watkinsville, GA, and Mandy (David) Underwood of Gray Court, SC and 6 grandchildren.
A visitation will be held on Friday, December 20th, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Mole Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, December 21st, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Savannah, GA.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Christ Community Presbyterian Church in Barnwell or to Laurens County Humane Society in Laurens, SC.
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