Anna Turner

Anna Marie Turner was born on September 22, 1935, in Barling, Arkansas. She was raised in Charleston, Arkansas by her parents, Charlie and Gertrude Maledon and had 9 siblings. She went to Heaven on June 24, 2018, leaving from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she lived at Montereau for the past 5 years.

She married Dr. Jerry Turner in 1955, who served as Superintendent of Prairie Grove schools until his untimely death in 1972. Anna was so proud to be the mother of 3 children, Kyle, Kelley and Kirk. After Jerry passed away, she took on the incredible challenge of obtaining a Bachelors’ and Masters’ degree in Education from the University of Arkansas, while working full time at Ramey Jr. High and raising 3 children by herself. She attended all of her kids’ sporting, academic and social activities and prepared them well for life after high school. She sacrificed all she had to give her children more.

She began her teaching career at Prairie Grove Elementary School in 1974 and taught kindergarten in Prairie Grove for more than 30 years before her retirement. She loved teaching, inspiring, motivating and improving the lives of children. She positively influenced thousands of young men and women over the years.

She loved the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Prairie Grove Tigers! She rarely missed watching a football or basketball game of her favorite teams. She loved having her kids’ friends over to her home, which she affectionately referred to as “Grand Central Station.” She was a woman of great faith, always willing to help those in need.

Survivors include her son, Kirk and his wife, Nancy, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; her daughter, Kelley and her husband, Damon, of New Lima, Oklahoma; Three Grandchildren, Zachary and Joshua Turner of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Mikala Forshee of New Lima, Oklahoma; and one Sister, Irma Alstatt and her husband, Shirney, of Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Anna was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Gertrude Maledon of Charleston, Arkansas; her husband, Dr. Jerry Turner; her son, Kyle Turner, and her siblings, Theresa Opersteny, Frances Weir, Alice Labrosse, Clara Maledon, Paul Maledon, Tony Maledon, Louis Maledon, and Vincent Maledon.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Luginbuel Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 28, 2018 - 10:00 a.m. at Luginbuel Chapel in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. She will be laid to rest with her husband, Jerry, at National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Prairie Grove Elementary School to help provide teachers’ resources for their classrooms. Donations should be sent to the Anna Turner Memorial Fund c/o Prairie Grove School District 300 Ed Staggs Drive Prairie Grove, Arkansas 72753