Lewis Johnson "Johnny" Turner, Jr.

Lewis Johnson "Johnny" Turner, Jr. husband of Carolyn Faglie Turner and loving father of 4 daughters, received his heavenly award on June 25, 2023.  "Johnny", age 90 was born on October 9, 1932 in Spartanburg, SC to Alyne Grace Johnson and Lewis Johnson Turner, Sr.  He spent his youth involved with Boy Scouts and was a cabinet member of the YMCA.  He was involved in theater productions, music, carpentry, football, and loved fishing.  With his younger sister, Norma, he spent summers in a family cottage in Hendersonville, NC that he helped his dad build.  He was a 1951 graduate of North Augusta High School, was an officer in the Beta Club, and played football.  In 1955, he received his B.S. from Clemson University where he was a member of the Wesley Foundation and was honored to be a member of the Blue Key Society.  While in college, he enjoyed being a counselor for summer camps in the mountains of NC.  He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church of North Augusta and served as a youth leader.  It was through his involvement with the Methodist Youth Fellowship that he met the love of his life, Carolyn.  They were married on December 21, 1957.

Johnny was employed by Clearwater Finishing Co. in Belvedere, SC in their International Division.  In January of 1958, the young couple moved to Tehran, Iran for an extended contract.  Johnny supervised the textile lab and instructed others in using newly acquired, American-made machines that would enable the Iranians to automate the printing of fabrics.  While in Iran, he and his wife enjoyed several tours: seeing the sights in Europe and the Middle East, including the Holy Land.  During the summer of 1960, Carolyn returned to the States where their first daughter was born in Augusta, GA on Johnny's 28th birthday.  When he returned to SC in March of 1961, Johnny accepted a position with Carlisle Finishing Co. in Union, SC., and worked for 12 years to ultimately attain the position of Asst. Plant Chemist.  In his years at Carlisle, he made many longtime friends and celebrated the birth of 3 more daughters. Johnny and Carolyn joined Grace United Methodist Church in Union, SC to continue serving the Lord, others in their church, and their community.  While at Grace, he sang in the church choir, was a member of the Clyburn-Whitener Sunday School Class and was an MYF leader.  He also supported his four young daughters in their activities and raised them to be comfortable working with all types of mechanical projects.  He loved building bicycles.  Johnny and Carolyn were often seen in the summer months riding on a handmade tandem bike with their youngest daughter in a rear seat and the three other Turner girls riding along beside them around town.

Johnny was a long-time member of Lions Club International, joining in 1957 in North Augusta.  He continued as a member of Lions Club in Union, SC in 1961 and transferred his membership to Spartanburg in 1975.   Returning to Union in 1987, he held various offices over the years.  He served as a delegate to the International Convention in Miami, Florida, and twice, as president of the Union Lions Club. In 2008 he received the "Lion of the Year" from the club.  He was also awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award and was honored by the $1,000 donation made by others in his name to the Lions Club International Foundation.

Johnny moved his family to Spartanburg, SC in 1974 and worked as a Technical Specialist with Lyman Printing and Finishing and then as general manager of the Moreland-McKesson Chemical Corporation.  He continued his service in the church at Trinity United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir.  In 1987, he and Carolyn moved back to Union, SC and Johnny fulfilled a dream of owning a home in the country.  He enjoyed spending time with friends, rejoined the choir at Grace United Methodist, and spent many years working as a youth leader with the SC Salkehatchie Summer Services in Union County.  On his retirement, he was recognized for 28 years of service to the Salkehatchie Summer Services.

Johnny moved with Carolyn to Cumberland Village in 2018. They enjoyed making new friends, watching Clemson football games, and lived an active life for several years while living in Aiken, SC.  They were happy living close to two of their four daughters.  For the past year, Johnny and Carolyn have lived at National Health Care of North Augusta, where they celebrated 65 years of marriage, and his 90th birthday!

Lewis J. "Johnny" Turner, Jr. is survived by his wife Carolyn F. Turner; daughters and their sons-in-law; Terri Ellis, Linda Serkiz (Steve), Beth Pierpont (Chris) and Allison Williams (Wendell).  He is additionally survived by his grandchildren; Sarah Ellis, Daniel Ellis, Max Serkiz, Jack Serkiz, Jordan Pierpont Snead (Matt), Cameron Pierpont, and step-grandchildren, Samantha and Brad Williams.  He is additionally survived by his great grandson, John Michael Snead and several nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his father, Lewis J. Turner, Sr., his mother Alyne J. Turner, his sister Norma T. Taylor, and his son-in-law, Barry L. Ellis.

Johnny's beautiful voice and his sense of humor will be greatly missed by family and friends.

A service to celebrate his life will be held on, Thursday, July 6th beginning at 2:00 pm in the sanctuary of Grace United Methodist Church in Union, SC with burial in the cemetery to follow.  Visitation with the family will be in the church from 12:30 until the start of the service and following the burial.

The family requests that memorials be sent to Grace United Methodist Church, 201 S. Church Street, Union, SC 29379 or to Salkehatchie Summer Service, 2654 Cross Keys Hwy. Union, SC, 29379, attn. Caroline Barger.