Clarence Ambrose Turner, Jr., 1901-1990

Clarence Ambrose Turner, Jr., the only son and first of five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Ambrose Turner, Sr., was born June 16, 1901, on the family plantation on the James River near Smithfield, Virginia. The rural area provided close family ties. The loving example set by his mother and father and, later, the move to Norfolk in 1919, all provided varied and enriching experiences for him, thus paving the way for him to answer God's call to the ministry. Through the years, he brought honor to his family with his many accomplishments, great preaching, envied appointments and civic and social achievements.

Ambrose was educated in the public schools in and around Smithfield. He received the Bachelor of Arts degree from The College of William and Mary in 1930. Our Lord tugged at his heart and he answered the call to the ministry, receiving his seminary training at Duke Divinity School. He became a probationer in the Virginia conference in 1930, a deacon in 1932, and an elder in 1934. His retirement came in June of 1966 following a heart attack.

His appointments included West End, South Boston; Wesley, Martinsville; East York, Poquoson; Blacksburg; Main Street, Waynesboro; Ginter Park, Richmond; Larchmont, Norfolk; First, Salem; Del Ray, Alexandria. He continued for many years to answer that divine call as a retired minister serving as a parish visitor at Trinity, Poquoson; Community, Virginia Beach; Park Place, Ghent and Larchmont in Norfolk.

He married Lucy Wells, his first love, in 1924. To that union came a daughter, Anne, and a son, Clarence Ambrose Turner, III. Anne died during his first appointment. Lucy died in 1947. He later married Mary Rebecca Thomas who predeceased him.

Ambrose was a diligent pastor, an avid reader, a continuous student while he possessed a great sense of humor, wore a contagious smile and loved life, people and the world.

His commitment to his call was so great that he never allowed social, civic or recreational concerns to come ahead of his duty as a pastor. He converted many because of his ability to enter into other peoples troubles and bring them hope and confidence -- truly a rare form of evangelism.

His ministry was greatly appreciated in the many churches and congregations he served but also through the following fraternal and civic organizations. He served as a faithful member and chaplain of the Norfolk Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. During World War II, Governor Colgate W. Darden, Jr. appointed him to the Virginia Civil Defense Commission. He was an active member of the Ruth Lodge No. 89 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Scottish Rite Bodies and Khedive Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He had been a member of the Lions and Rotary clubs during his ministry and served as president of the Blacksburg Rotary Club. He was a member of the Kiwanis Clubs of Alexandria, Salem, and Norfolk, and a life member of Kiwanis International.

Death came late on November 25 following a lovely visit with his three surviving sisters. Mentally alert to the very end and sometimes in great pain, those of us who loved him were so glad to feel he went from a moment of pain to an instant of peace and calm hearing the divine call once more, this time saying: "Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Funeral services were conducted at Larchmont United Methodist Church by his pastor, the Rev. W. Dabney Walters, assisted by the Rev. Milford C. Rollins on a stormy, cold November 28 at 11:00 a.m. A full church heard his minister say: "I was not his bishop nor his district superintendent, but as his pastor, I announce his final appointment to the Church Triumphant, knowing he had already heard the words of his Lord, 'Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of eternal life.' "

Burial was in Suffolk, Virginia.

-Milford C. Rollins