Wanda Sue Turner

Wanda Sue Turner, age 71, passed away on Monday, April 26, 2021 at the Pineville Community Health Center. She was a beloved Teacher for 40 years at St. Julian Catholic School in Middlesboro. She taught her first class the year her son, Doug, was born and the last year she taught concluded with her granddaughter, Randi, graduating from St. Julian’s. She held multiple master’s degrees in Education. She even was Kentucky’s Teacher of the Year in 1994. Throughout her teaching career, she was told many times, that she was one of the toughest teachers her students had, by said students and their parents. Years later, those same students and parents, came back to thank her for being so hard on them. The tough but fair way she taught, prepared them for classes and lessons they had to endure later in school and life. She touched many lives in her 71 years and influenced some to even become educators. Wanda was born on June 20, 1949, to Wesley and Clarsie Turner of Ferndale, as their true middle child. She had eight siblings, four older and four younger. She loved her family beyond measure and took care of her parents until their deaths. She was a member of St. Julian Catholic Church. Preceding her in passing were her parents, Wesley and Clarsie Turner; sister, Betty Lou Beach; and brothers, Wendell Turner, Tommy Turner, and James “Jimmy” Turner. Left to mourn her passing are her son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Dena Turner and granddaughter, Randi Turner. She is also survived by her sister, Mary (Otis) Baker; and brothers, Louie (Allene) Turner, Larry Turner and Robert Turner. There are too many nieces, nephews and cousins to name. Not to mention, all of her adopted children… the many students that she taught and learned from every year. Wanda requested to not have a funeral, as she wouldn’t want people to be sad at her passing, but to celebrate that she was “walking” the streets of gold. The Arnett & Steele Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Pineville is honored to serve the Turner family. Light a candle of remembrance and sign the guest register at www.arnettsteele.com.