Obituary of Janice Ward Turner

Mrs. Janice Ward Turner, of Efland, NC passed away peacefully in her home on January 28th, 2024 at the age of 81 years old.

Mrs. Turner was born on May 11th, 1942 in Burlington, North Carolina as Janice Delia Ward. She was the youngest of three children born to Joyce Cranford Ward and Samual Allen Ward. She grew up in Efland, NC, was baptized in her youth as a Methodist and graduated from Orange High School in Hillsborough. After living for some time in Burlington, Charlotte and Badin, NC, she returned to Efland and married Ralph Victor Turner on May 14, 1977.

She spent many years working with disabled adults and was a teacher’s assistant at Efland Cheeks Elementary School before becoming a homemaker. She also worked as a wildlife rescue support volunteer, fostering and rehabilitating wild birds. In addition, she was a talented gardener, artist, writer, and seamstress.

Janice was very kind, loving, had a joyful sense of humor, helped many people in her life’s journey and was loved by all.

Mrs. Turner is survived by her husband Ralph Victor Turner, her daughter Cynthia (Cindy) King and her five grandchildren – Christopher (Chris) Martin, Karina Papadoyianis, Bryan Papadoyianis, and twins Alston Handy and Peyton Handy. She was preceded in death by her daughter Cheryl Turner Martin Handy, her sister Joyce Ellen Brusseau, her brother John Ward, and her parents Joyce and Sam Ward.