Charles D. Turner passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

Memorial service: 2 p.m. Sunday, November 20, at First Baptist Church of Hewitt with a reception following.

Many think God broke the mold after Charlie was born to the late Osa David Turner of Waco and Virginia Augusta Harris Turner from Red Bay, AL. He had a close loving relationship with his parents who taught him strong Christian values. Charlie was known to create mischief, often at the expense of others including his siblings Edward, Douglas, and Ginger.

He met the love of his life, Brenda Lavender, in high school and somehow convinced her into thinking he was a charming individual with decorum. After dating for five years they married February 15, 1975. As the years passed Charlie convinced this charming and exceedingly proper and godly woman to participate in some of his antics. Their only child, Bradley, an author and college professor, recalls growing up in the Turner household always felt colorful and exciting. The mundane was made a fun and joyful adventure. For many years Charlie and Bradley have enjoyed a weekly breakfast ritual.

Charlie’s interests were immense. They included shooting his cannons, refurbishing musical instruments, playing percussion instruments, singing old songs, telling stories and jokes, photography, going to the mountains, enjoying the shows in Branson, playing games with friends, granddaughters, and family, treating his wife like a princess, and always opening his heart and home to a homeless dog. He was also known to help friends who needed a Master of Ceremony for parties or to serve as a jokester, like the time when he honored a friend’s request to don a gorilla suit and delivered a surprise message to his friend’s husband for their anniversary.

Charlie put his faith in Jesus Christ when he was young. His servant’s spirit was evidenced by his years serving as a Sunday school teacher, life group leader, deacon, trustee, and member of the music ministry at First Baptist Church of Hewitt. This servant’s spirit led him to serve a total of 25 years on the Hewitt City Council starting in 1981. He served as mayor for 19 years, was a charter member of Hewitt’s Board of Adjustment in 1984 serving nine years, and served five years on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Charlie was an early advocate for Hewitt’s new Public Library and was once distinguished with the Outstanding Citizen of Hewitt award. Other former positions include the Rapoport Academy Advisory Board, Teen Leadership Waco Advisory Board, Texas Regional Review Committee, and the president of Hewitt Chamber of Commerce. He was a frequent contributor to Hewitt Express.

Charlie graduated from Waco High School in 1970 earning a music/percussion scholarship at Baylor where he was a member of the Golden Wave Band. In 2013, he completed an associate of arts degree from MCC. His professional career included insurance agent, paralegal, computer tech, and later the credit manager for Smith Pump until 2015 when he retired. In retirement, he worked as a federal fiduciary for the VA and the store manager for the Tool Shed which supports Friends for Life. Charlie loved making corny and hilarious videos on Facebook promoting the store.

Charlie relished his role as Poppa Bear to his granddaughters, Joley and Rachel. He leaves decades of fond and colorful memories for his wife, Brenda, and loyal son, Bradley and his wife Andrea; his sister, Ginger Raney; his beloved mother-in-law, Nell Lavender; and the Turner and Lavender families.

His family requests in lieu of flowers friends may donate to the Turner Family Scholarship at the MCC Highlander Foundation or to Friends for Life.

Condolences for the family of “Charles D. Turner”

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