Juanita Stamp Turner

Juanita Stamp Turner, 89, of DeWitt, died Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011, two weeks shy of her 90th birthday. She was born on Jan. 19, 1921 in DeWitt, her family having moved to DeWitt from Kentucky. She was the daughter of the late James Crittenden "Crit" and Estelle Stamp. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, the late Carl Franklin Turner and her parents. Juanita was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church where she taught the Junior Girls Sunday School class and directed VBS crafts for many, many years. She also sang in the choir, served as kitchen hostess and was very involved with the Ladies Bible Study group. An accomplished wood worker, many friends and family cherish a wood turned candlestick or vase from various woods that she gathered from special trees that she would spot "downed" in someone's yard. She died her wood work on a 1930's wood lathe in the special "hobby" shop that her husband, Carl, had built especially to accommodate the large lathe. She loved to paint and entered her work in art shows and was often featured in one-woman shows. Another love was stained glass. She created several special pieces, one in 1980, a duck scene for her son Terry's new home. Her latest piece was for Delano and Lynette Black of Memphis, Tenn. She also loved horses and rocks, once traveling with friend, Grace Turner in a bob truck to pick up a load of rocks. Another passion was family photography. She had to have a "special" picture for almost any occasion. Juanita was also featured in the 2008 Capture Arkansas publication presented by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She was a retired homemaker and long time member of Prairie Gem EHC and the New Providence Turley EHC, the Grand Prairie Arts and Crafts Guild, and chair of the Arkansas County Fair Association's Arts and Crafts Division. Juanita is survived by a sister, Beans Turner of Hot Springs, daughters, Carolyn Hughes (Marvin) of Hot Springs, and Tiila Relyea (Ralph) of DeWitt; son, Terry Turner and daughter-in-law, Carolyn Turner of DeWitt. Grandchildren include Tami Hornbeck (Troy) of DeWitt, Teri Relyea Berbel of Manfield, Texas, Jay Hughes (Christina) of Hot Springs, Kevin Hughes (Diane) of Benton, Chris Turner (Suzanne) and Jennifer Turner of Dallas, Texas. Great-grandchildren include Tyler and Collin Hornbeck, Haven and Sam Berbel, Braden and Kaylen Hughes, and Whit and Emory Turner. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services are 2 p.m., Saturday at First Christian Church. Visitation from 1 p.m. until service time. Burial in Cedarcrest Memorial Gardens, Essex Funeral Home.