Virginia Turner
Virginia Lee (Sivley) Turner passed away peacefully in the early hours of March 12, 2020, just two weeks prior to her 98th birthday, surrounded by her family and loved ones.
Mrs. Turner was a native of Chattanooga and was born on March 26, 1922, to Ethel Durham and Russell Milo Sivley in their family home on the farm located on Mountain Creek Road at the foot of Signal Mountain, which was settled by the Sivley family in 1820. Virginia was the oldest of nine children; sisters, Dorothy (Pete) Slayton, Kathryn (Clifford) Coffelt, Betty (Cooper) Holt, Barbara (Joseph) Waters, Carolyn (David) Minnich; brothers, William (Betty) Sivley, Kenneth (Anna) Sivley and Calvin (Joann) Sivley, and was known to be her mother’s second in command as it related to the care and supervision of her younger siblings.
As a child Virginia attended Mountain Creek Baptist Church where she and her sisters learned to read music and sing gospel harmonies. This led to Virginia and her sisters preforming at churches throughout the area and often singing on the locally broadcast T. Perry Brannon radio program. Virginia also sang with other quartets and preformed in plays and musicals during her elementary school days at Mountain Creek Elementary School and later while attending Central High School.
As a young woman Virginia left the farm to seek adventure and employment in Chattanooga’s booming downtown where she worked with her sister Kay at Woolworths Department Store. Recognizing her natural ability to manage and organize, Virginia was appointed their first female floor manager. This sparked an interest in retail sales and management which would continue throughout much of her life.
In her early twenties Virginia married her life partner, the man she would love and support for the next 44 years, James Estill “Bookie” Turner and together they had a legendary career in public life and public service. Virginia forever epitomized the role of the strong woman behind the man. Moving with Bookie’s career the couple started married life in Oak Ridge Tennessee. While Bookie worked for The US Veterans Administration after serving in the Navy, Virginia, still interested in a career of her own, opened her first retail business, the Oakridge Bootery. Also, while in Oakridge Virginia gave birth to a daughter, Brenda Kaye Turner, who would later become a well-loved Tennessee State legislator for over 20 years advocating for children, healthcare and women’s issues. In 1950 the couple returned to Chattanooga as Bookie accepted a new role with the VA and settled in the growing suburbs of Brainerd. Once again Virginia started a children’s shoes and clothing business called The Brainerd Bootery and Youth Bazar. She had another child, a boy, James Michael “Mike” Turner who became a licensed funeral director, owner and president of the 84-year-old family firm, Turner’s “Golden Rule” Funeral Home.
Over the ensuing years Virginia opened multiple children’s shoes and clothing store locations of the Bootery but later retired from this career and became well know and loved for her involvement in local politics and community activism. She supported Bookie to many victories as both Sheriff and later Fire and Police Commissioner and actively managed Brenda’s election campaign to the State house. Mrs. Turner was one of the main driving forces in over 30 public elections for her husband and daughter’s longtime political careers. In addition to these interests, Virginia became a licensed realtor and later earned licensing as a Funeral director in order to participate in the family business with her son Mike, eventually being named Vice President of the Company and playing a key role in its daily operation and management.
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Surviving family include her daughter, Brenda K. Turner, her son, wife and children - Mike and Sandy Turner, and their children, Paige Turner Clark, Lindy Turner (Frank) Foster and Jamey Turner (Tony) McQuade.
Mrs. Turner's precious great-grandchildren are Payton, KyLeigh, Shea Michael, Noah Rafael, Hayden Grace, Taylor Rose, Julia Paige, Blake, Casey and Carson, her terrific sisters, Mrs. Barbara (Joe) Waters, Mrs. Carolyn (David) Minnick and Mrs. Kaye (Clifford) Colfelt, and her son and wife, John (Kelly) Colfelt and their two truehearted daughters, Virginia “Ellis” Colfelt, Kathryn "Kate" Colfelt and her son, John Carter, as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews.
And then there was a Heaven sent "Angel of Mercy" named Amy Wyatt who blessed Mrs. Virginia with her presence. She brought daily an abundance of devoted love and care to help her through her final days.
The family would also like to thank the Alexian Brothers Home Healthcare for their love and kindness that they gave to Mrs. Turner.
Donations may be made to St. Jude (https://www.stjude.org/donate) or a charity of your choosing.
Due to public health concerns, the family has respectfully decided to forego public visitation. The family and friends will gather for a funeral service at a later date. Mrs. Turner’s body will be laid to rest with her husband at Chattanooga National Cemetery in a private family service.
Arrangements made by Turner Funeral Home, Hwy 58 Chapel 423-622-3171
Virginia Turner