Shirley Jean White

SHIRLEY JEAN TURNER-WHITE was born on Tuesday, November 21, 1944, in James Mill, Arkansas. She was raised by her stepfather, George Turner, Sr. and mother, Erma Lee Sims-Turner. Her father was Jack Wright of Cincinnati, Ohio. During her school years, Shirley attended J. S. Phelix Elementary and Phelix High School in Sunset, Arkansas. Shirley was united in marriage to Willie Henry White of Clarkedale, Arkansas on February 14, 1965. The couple moved to Columbus, Ohio, in 1965, where they raised four children together. Her primary roles were homemaker, caregiver, and nurturer of their children. However, Shirley worked for a short period of time for Sears Distribution Center in the Courthouse Cafeteria. Shirley accepted Christ at a young age. At that time, she became a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in James Mill, Arkansas. During that time, her leader was the late pastor, J.H. Ball. In adulthood, she joined New Salam Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio, where Keith A. Troy was her pastor. She established membership at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio, on April 5, 2015, under the oversight of Pastor Scottie L. Aaron, where she remained an active member until her life ended. Shirley transitioned from this earthly life to her eternal home on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Willie H. White; stepfather, George Turner, Sr.; mother, Erma Lee Sims-Turner; father, Jack Wright; two brothers, Clifton Lee Turner and Willie Lee Turner, Sr.; one step-sister, Leona Wright-Williams; five brothers-in-law, James White, Johnny White, Charles White, Eugene White, and Melvin Williams; and one sister-in-law, Flora White. Shirley is survived by two sons, Gregory (Pamela) Turner and Dennis White, Sr.; two daughters, Lisa (Kenneth) White-Williamson and Shawnette White, all of Columbus, OH; stepson, Danny Nichols of San Antonio, TX; three brothers, George Turner, Jr. of Glendora, CA, John (Bonnie) Turner of Bakersfield, CA and Kenneth Turner of West Memphis, AR; seven sisters, Melvene Perkins of Portland, OR, Amelia Turner Quinn of Columbus, OH, Bobbie Turner of Long Beach, CA, Alice Mangum and Ollie Chandler, both of Columbus, OH, Sheila (Michael, Sr.) Drummer of Bakersfield, CA, and Loraine (Larry) Houston of Long Beach, CA; thirteen grandchildren, Brandon Williamson, Nada White, Rieria White, Devin Williamson, Allyce Williamson, Dennis White Jr., RayShawn Collins, LaKeisha Collins, Nicita White, Deanna Williamson, Leon’Dra Hicks, TayShawn Williamson, and Shaniece Nichols, all of Columbus, OH; twenty-three great grandchildren of Columbus, OH; one great-great grandson of Columbus, OH; stepsister, Willie Jean Johnson of Chicago, IL; sister-in-law, Ellawes White of Columbus, OH; aunt, Ethel Sims-Watkins of Marion AR; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.