Irene Turner, 76

DOVER - Irene Turner was born in Dover on Jan. 5, 1932, to the late Ernest Baretta Sr. and Mable Alene (Patton) Sudler. On Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover, she departed this life after a brief illness. She was 76.

She attended public schools in Dover.

On July 4, 1959, she was united in holy matrimony to Harry Turner, and they remained faithful together until her death. To this union, five children were born.

Irene was employed at Dover Air Force Base, retiring after 40 years of service. After retiring she felt the need to stay busy, so she went to work for Trader Funeral Home, Dover, following the footsteps of her mother.

She will be remembered for her culinary skills, which include her famous strawberry shortcake, crab cakes, sweet potato pie and ice tea.

Her favorite hobbies were yard sales and spending every Tuesday and Friday bidding on her favorite items at Spence's Bazaar.

Irene was a faithful member of Solid Rock Baptist Church for over 40 years. During her time there she served on the choir, usher board and as a pastor's aide.

When her brother-in-law, the Rev. Henson Brooks, went to Salisbury, Md., to pastor, she went with him and became a member of Weeping Mary Baptist Church.

Last year she became a member of Mount Olive Pentecostal Church, under watch care, where the pastor was Elder Constance R. Beach.

Preceding her in death were two sons, Harry Turner and Charles Turner; and two sisters, Margaret L. White and Dorothy Draper.

She leaves to cherish her memory and her love her husband, Harry Turner of Dover; a son and daughter in-law, Carlton Turner Sr. (Angela) of Dover; two daughters, Jo Ann Evans and Beatrice Wilson of Dover; a stepdaughter, Barbara Jean Benson of Wilmington; three grandsons and one granddaughter-in-law, Ronald Evans, Carlton Turner Jr. (Rhonda) and Ricardo Wilson, all of Dover; three granddaughters and one grandson-in-law, Dianna Smith (Sammy), April Evans and Lakia Turner, all of Dover; 10 great-grandchildren; two adopted grandchildren, Marvin Gibson and Dontayna Wilson; three nieces and one nephew, whom she raised, Slyvia White, Michelle White, Lakeshia White and James White, all of Dover; three brothers and one sister-in-law, Ernest B. Sudler (Jean), Raymond Summers and Melvin Summers, all of Dover; three sisters, Josephine Brooks of Magnolia, Marguerite Harris of Dover and Madison Miller of Smyrna; her extended family, Sharonda Mims and her family; four special friends, Wendell Schenck, Gladys Paskins, Mabel Reed and Kathy Scott; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Services will be noon Monday at Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, Queen and Fulton streets, Dover. A viewing will be from 10 a.m. to noon.

A viewing will also be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Trader Funeral Home, Dover.

Interment will be at Whatcoat United Methodist Church Cemetery, Dover.

Professional services by Trader Funeral Home, Dover.