Frances Charlene Turner

 Frances Charlene Turner, age 93, of Haskell, passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2024. She was born June 6, 1931 to Willie Ellen and Jerry Jefferson Shope in Hope, Arkansas. Charlene graduated from Hope High School in 1949 and married Benford Turner of Spring Hill in Hempstead County on September 18, 1951. She was beautician who ran her own business, Charlene’s Beauty Shop, for more than 30 years, and was a faithful member of Mount Harmony Missionary Baptist Church.

Walking was one of Charlene’s favorite pastimes and form of exercise. Until just a few years ago she walked three to four miles a day down the country roads near her home. Friends and neighbors often commented to her grown children, “I saw your mama out walking today.” 

Charlene was a wonderful mother who raised her three kids to be good, productive citizens. She hosted countless meals for holidays, birthdays and any occasion we could get together to have a party. Having everyone together at her house was her happy place. On a daily basis she talked about how blessed she had been her entire life and she wouldn’t change a thing. The Lord had been good to her, and she was thankful for His kindness and grace.

She was also a good canasta player. For many years when she and Ben were a young couple raising a family, their main social activity was playing the canasta card game with other young couples, the wives teamed up against the husbands for a night of fun competition.

Charlene was known for her friendly disposition, kind heart and lively, witty sense of humor. One of her favorite jokes was to boast that she and Ben were scientists: “I’m a cosmetologist and Ben is a lubricologist!” (Ben was a construction worker, an oiler who kept cranes and other big construction machines lubricated.)

Charlene is preceded in death by her parents, husband and all her siblings (five sisters and one brother).

She is survived by her children, Benny Turner (Kikuko), Peggy Tilley (Roger) and Becky Montalvo (Phillip); four grandchildren Clay Spikes (Lauren), Hana Turner, Jaci Montalvo Ward (Lucas), Lexi Montalvo, Rachel Tilley Farrell (Max) and Rebecca Tilley Schlau; great-grandchildren Maeson and Olivia Spikes, Mattox Ward, Weezie and Daisy Farrell, Vivie, Martha and Noel Schlau; and several nieces and nephews. Heartfelt thanks to lifetime friend and neighbor Pete Cotton, and the most loving, kind and compassionate caregivers Toya, Jeanette, Shawna and Ashley.

There will be a private family graveside service at Graham Cemetery at Haskell on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 10:00 AM.

Pallbearers are Phillip Montalvo, Seth Carden, Lucas Ward, Clay Spikes, Pete Cotten, and Sam Esry.

Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.