Reverend Harold L. Turner

Reverend Harold Lawrence Turner, age 94, passed on following a meaningful life journey to hold onto God’s unchanging hand, walk in God’s footsteps, day-by-day until it was time to rest. He faced many challenges and tribulations, yet his faith and love of God stood unwavering. He entered this earth on Wednesday, August 17, 1927 and transitioned into Heaven on Tuesday, March 22, 2022. Harold Turner, affectionately known as “Huck, Uncle Huck, Rev, or HalT” was born in Weirton, West Virginia; the seventh of eight children born to parents, James Howard Turner and Alice Josephine [Newsome] Turner. Harold was raised in Steubenville, OH and graduated from Steubenville High School in 1946. Harold met the love of his life, Vera Moselle Payne at age 13 at the Simmons-Newsome family reunion. By age 16, Harold and Vera were in love. They married on October 31, 1952, and their journey together culminated in raising a loving family in Christ. Harold Turner’s first job was with Weirton Steel in Weirton, West Virginia. He started an entrepreneurial business as a self-taught photographer to supplement his income. Harold was full of artistic talents; he loved music and was a phenomenal singer [baritone voice]. He played brass instruments [baritone horn and tuba], piano, and the upright full quarter acoustic bass [self-taught]. Harold would play and sing in jazz clubs during his free time, accompanied by various stage bands. By 21 years of age, he purchased a full quarter-inch acoustic bass. Harold Turner enrolled at Ohio University, Athens, OH, on a shoe-string-budget. However, by 1951, his educational journey was interrupted by the US Army draft [Korean War]. A few years into military life, Colonel McKorkey wanted a band to entertain the troops, and thus a star was born! Harold played and sang with the trios and quartets. Harold was also the conductor of the Defense Construction Supply Center [DCSC] choir for many years. He retired from DCSC in 1981. Harold Turner completed his higher education, graduating graduated from Ohio Dominican College, Columbus OH in 1977 [Bachelor of Art in Sociology]; graduated from Methodist Theological School, Delaware OH in 1990 [Master of Divinity]. He first noticed his calling to Christ during his years at Ohio University. He became an ordained minister in the Community Church and, years later, an ordained minister in the AME Church [African Methodist Episcopal]. His first church was Lincoln Heights Church in Grandview, OH. He also spent many years as interim pastor and pastor at Second Community Church in Columbus, OH, and his final church was Zion AME Church in Delaware, OH. He retired from the ministry in 2000. Following retirement, Harold was a member and active pastor participant at The Historic St Paul AME Church, Columbus, OH. Harold and his soulmate, Vera, would sing duets together at church, home, and special events. Harold and Vera sang in various cantatas in auditoriums and church venues, many under the direction of Charles or James Turner, two equally talented musician brothers. Harold’s baby sister, Helen Turner-Franklin, would often provide piano accompaniment. Harold also played in the African American Brass Band under the direction of his brother, Theodore Turner. Harold Lawrence Turner is preceded in death by, his loving soulmate of 44-years, Vera Moselle [Payne] Turner, children: James [Jimi] Bryan Oglesby; 2-year-old son, Harold [Larry] Lawrence Turner Jr; brothers: William [Bill] Thomas Turner, Charles [Chink] Lemoyne Turner, James [Jim] Oliver Turner, Theodore [Fats] Howard Turner, Elmer Richard Turner [infant]; sisters: Elizabeth Ann Turner Lee, and Helen Josephine Turner Franklin. Surviving family includes children, Robert Oglesby Sr, Shaun [Lori] Turner, Sheila [Bryan] Turner-Owens; grandchildren: Constance [Peter] Oglesby-Senkarcin, Robert Oglesby Jr, Calisha [Stephen] Oglesby-Anderson; Camerra [Jerry] Medley-Bartee, Yarden Medley-Candelaria, William [Susan] David Camden Medley; Dana [Jason] Oglesby-Fields, James Bryan Oglesby III, Kyle Payne Oglesby, Eric [Sharea] Locklear; Shaun [Christina] Turner, Loren Paige Turner, Robert Lawrence Turner; Autumn Latham, Jerrin Mack; Jasmine [Colin] Russell Nickole Owens-Ghee, Bryan Cedric Owens Jr; great-grandchildren: Kieran Robert Oglesby, Jackson Burke Oglesby, Jolie Celeste Anderson, Jemma Morgan Anderson, Khalil [Diana] Oglesby Weaver, Kellen Fields, J’amia Ka-Ren Davenport Oglesby, James Bryan Oglesby IV, Haiti-Nelle Medley, Isaiah Candelaria, Joshua Candelaria, Khaylani Taylor, Jaylyn Medley, Kheira Medley, Destine Woodford, Devynn Woodford, Ezekiel Latham, Zion Latham, Jordan Gilmore, Liliana Mack, Kayden Mack, Ava Mack, Amiyah Mack.