Kathlyn Parker Turnage passed away onThursday, Aug. 18, 2011, at the age of 91.

    Mrs. Turnage was born on Aug. 30, 1919, in Prentiss to RobertStephen Parker and Laura Deen Parker.  She graduated from Prentiss HighSchool in 1937 as the class valedictorian.  As a student, she also studied pianoand particularly enjoyed learning French. After high school, sheattended business college in Jackson, and upon graduation workedfor Lt. Gov. Dennis Murphree.

    In 1939 she married 1st Lt. William C. Turnage, Jr., of New Hebron.They made their home in the Mississippi Delta with their son,William Cleveland Turnage III, in Marks, Clarksdale, and Grenadauntil Lt. Turnage’s death in 1948. She moved to Brookhaven in 1956and enjoyed living on the same street for the next 55 years untilher death.

    In Brookhaven, she worked for the Soil Conservation Service untilher retirement in 1995.

    Mrs. Turnage’s greatest joys in life were her family, dear friends,and tending a wide variety of flowers and plants in her yard. Herlove of gardening began in childhood when she and her sister grewlittle flowerbeds of zinnias, sweetpeas, and marigolds. She was anardent and gifted bridge player, and enjoyed playing often in herbridge circles. She was also a wide and curious reader, and waswell-known at the Brookhaven Library.

    She will be deeply missed in her neighborhood, bridge circles,church, and especially by her family, who knew her as “Kat.” Katwill ever be remembered for her gentle, easy-going nature, sweetpersonality, terrific sense of fun and wonderful cooking.

    Survivors include her son, William C. Turnage III and his wife,Judith, of Jackson; her granddaughter, Kathryn Elizabeth Turnage;and her sisters, Mrs. R. H. Pridgen, of Monticello, Mrs. A.E.Benham, of Hattiesburg, and Mrs. B.R. Mounce, of Columbia, S.C.

    Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011,at the First United Methodist Church in Brookhaven. A lunch will beheld before the funeral at the church at 11 a.m. with visitation tofollow immediately.

    Burial will be held with a graveside service at New HebronCemetery.

    Riverwood Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

    To express your thoughts to the family, visitriverwoodfamily.com

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