Mattie B. Hart Turner

Mattie B. Hart Turner, 96, of South Haven, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Monday, January 17, 2011 while she was at home with loved ones.

She was born October 2, 1914 in Jackson, Mississippi to Jeff and Leedrester Hart. After the deaths of her parents she moved to Gary, Indiana to be raised by her grandparents Solomon and Cordelia Hart. She attended school at East Pulaski and Gary Roosevelt. Mattie married George Turner Sr. on December 10, 1933. They were married until his death on February 12, 1966 and she continued to live in Gary for a number of years before moving to South Haven, Michigan. Mattie worked for the South Haven Public Schools system before retiring in 2001. She was also a housekeeper for several families in the area while performing her duties with the school. Mattie was a member of the Second Baptist Church under Pastor Carl Langston until his death where she next joined the First Spiritual Church of Covert. She belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star, Mary Prince Chapter District #55. Her greatest joy was her family and she was blessed to know and love them up to her sixth generation of grandchildren. Mattie will truly be missed for her love and compassion not only to her family but the work she did throughout the community.

Mattie B. was also preceded in death by a sister – Anita, daughter- Dorothy Mae and two sons – Benjamin Turner Sr. and Jeff Alonzo Turner Sr.

She is survived by sons – James (Hilda) Turner of Gary, George Turner Jr. of Gary, Willard (Linda) Turner Sr. of North Carolina, Marcellus Turner Sr. of North Carolina, Albert Trout Jr. of Gary, Walter (Susan) Turner of South Haven, Rodney Turner Sr. of Portage. Daughters – Leedrester (Albert) Jackson of Philadelphia, Mattie (Connie) Taylor of Gary and Andrea (John) Copeland of Detroit. A special granddaughter – Paula D. Turner of South Haven, was raised by Mattie and was her loyal caregiver also survives.

A wake will be Tuesday, January 25, from 11 – 12 at the Church of Christ. Funeral services will begin Tuesday at 12:00 P.M. at the Church of Christ on M-43 with Pastor Simon Harrington officiating. Burial will take place at Stephenson Cemetery. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South haven 637-0333.