Age 85, Luray, Va.
The Rev. Charles Russell Turner Sr., 85, of 1294 Mount Zion Road in Luray, passed away on Wednesday evening, December 31, 2025, surrounded by his entire family.
He was born November 14, 1940, in Stanley, and was a son of the late Daniel Preston and Virginia Belle Dovel Turner.
On November 12, 1963, he married Florence Marie Anderson Turner, who passed away on March 9, 2017.
Charles was a 1958 graduate of Stanley High School. He and his brothers operated a landscaping business, Turner Brothers Landscaping, installing sod throughout the northern Virginia region for 30 years. He was also a cattle and poultry farmer and loved working on his farm. He was a devoted sports fan and would often tell stories of his days playing baseball in high school and young adulthood.
Above all, his calling in life was to be a pastor. Ministering to others in their time of need and leading them to Jesus Christ was his highest responsibility and the greatest source of fulfillment in his life. His impact on the people in his community truly cannot be measured.
His ministry began in 1985 when he began a three-year reading course focused on ministry preparation at Bridgewater College. He was pastor at Trinity Church of the Brethren in Luray from 1989 to 2002 before founding Calvary Independent Brethren Church in Stanley as its pastor in July 2003, a position he held until his retirement from the ministry in September 2025.
Surviving are a daughter, Patricia Price and companion Jeff Dinges, of Luray; two sons, Charles “Charlie” Turner Jr. and wife Dawn, and Joseph “Joey” Turner and wife Lora, all of Luray; seven grandchildren, Matthew Cubbage of Vienna, Jonathan Cubbage and wife Ashley, Nicholas Cubbage and wife Brittany, and Ashley Prichard, all of Luray, Amber Hunter and husband Jamal of Stanley, Cecily Kline and husband Mike of Front Royal, and Wesley Yankee of Luray; 13 great-grandchildren, Jonathan Cubbage Jr., Nicholas R. Cubbage, Mason Cubbage, Wyatt Cubbage, Aidan Prichard, Laney Prichard, Raegan Cubbage, Maddox Cubbage, Nylah Hunter, Ariyah Hunter, Malachi Hunter, Rhett Kline, and Cora Kline; three brothers, Noah Turner and David Turner, both of Stanley, and Aubrey Turner of Luray.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Daniel Carlton Turner, and a sister, Daisy Belle Clem.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Calvary Independent Brethren Church in Stanley. Prior to that point, visitors may visit the church for viewing on Friday, January 2, from 1 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday, January 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Family and friends may also visit his residence at 1294 Mount Zion Road in Luray at any time.
A funeral service will be conducted on Sunday, January 4, at 2 p.m. by his son, Pastor Charles R. “Charlie” Turner Jr. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent in his name to Calvary Independent Brethren Church, 1294 Mount Zion Road, Luray, Virginia 22835.
Arrangements are being handled by Bradley Funeral Home in Luray.
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