Jerry Ray Turnbull, 70

Funeral services for Jerry Ray Turnbull, 70, of Twin Bridges, were held July 20, 2019, at Little Zion Baptist Church. Mr. Turnbull died July 15 at his home.

He was born July 11, 1949, at Hebron, the fourth of eight children born to Abra and Lola Turnbull. His first five years of schooling were at Little Zion, a one-room schoolhouse. He finished his education at Willow Springs High School with the class of 1968. 

Some impactful events in his early life included the burning of his family’s home when he was 5, the loss of his dad when he was 15 and the loss of his mother at age 23. His first car was a 1961 Impala. On a date with Tangula Clinton, she set her chocolate milkshake on the dash. When Jerry took off, the milkshake went all over the passenger-side door. The stain never came out, but he decided to keep her anyway. They were married Sept. 1, 1967, in West Plains with  Brother Ira Johnson officiating. The couple had an uncommonly strong union and bond, truly one in adventure, life and love. 

The Turnbulls wasted no time in growing their family: a daughter, two sons, a miscarriage and then another daughter. They also took in Mr. Turnbull’s two youngest siblings, Mary Ann and Richard, after their mother’s death. In 1977 he finished building a home for his family, having sawed the lumber from the place in which it was built using his own sawmill. 

Mr. Turnbull was a man who “never met a stranger” and who had the ability to talk to anyone. He had uncommon wisdom and insight and was always full of fun, jokes and laughter. He was a logger and a farmer, always wanting to start early and get on home. He enjoyed his work, his family and his friends, who often called him Ole Easy or Ornery. In his logging, he became well known all over southern Missouri for his hard work and honesty. He was very strong in his Lord, as in everything else.

He is survived by Tangula, his loving wife of 51 years; their children, Angela Brownfield Pringle, Rex Turnbull and wife Shelley, and Sherri Trail and husband Scott; grandchildren Brittany Bergman, Ian Bergman, Andrea Trail and companion Nick Wellington, Kaitlyn Trail and companion Elijah Decker, and Justin Trail; brothers James “Pete” Turnbull and wife Shirley, Bobby Turnbull, Clarence Turnbull and wife Rhonda, and Richard Turnbull and wife Mary; one sister, Mary Ann Turnbull; sisters-in-law Lois Turnbull and Marcia Turnbull; and mother-in-law Annabell Clinton. 

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, James and Minnie Belle Turnbull; maternal grandparents Walter and Dora Turnbull; his parents; his son, Ross Turnbull; a son-in-law, Darin Brownfield; brothers John Rogers “Todd” Turnbull and Bill Turnbull; and father-in-law Cecil “Pete” Clinton.

Burial was in the Little Zion Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Little Zion Cemetery and may be left at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at robertsondrago.com.

Arrangements by Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, West Plains.