After a nearly two-year battle with cancer, Cheryle Lois Widener Turner peacefully passed into her Savior's arms, surrounded by her loving family. Born to Johnnie Wesley Widener and Cora Eloise Latham in Bremen, Georgia, Cheryle lived a life of faith, service, and unconditional love.

Cheryle married her kindergarten crush and high school sweetheart, William Danny "Dan" Turner, on November 23, 1968, at First Baptist Church in Bremen. Together, they shared nearly 56 years of marriage, raising four children and six grandchildren, creating a legacy of love and faith. Cheryle is survived by her adoring husband, Dan Turner; her children, J.J. (Mark) Everett, Alison (Blaine) Norris, Matthew (Julia) Turner, and Joel (Amber) Turner; and six beloved grandchildren: Will and Kate Everett, Widener, Nancy Sue, and David Norris, and Sophie Anne Turner. She is also survived by two nieces, Melissa Nelson (Tommy) and Julie Scott (Len), who were like daughters to her. She was "Mama T" to so many who loved and admired her.

Cheryle was preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie and Eloise Widener; her sister, Marilyn Kilgore; and nephew Bill Kilgore Jr. (wife Debbie and son William).

Cheryle graduated from Bremen High School in 1965 and went on to earn her RN from Grady Hospital School of Nursing in Atlanta in 1968. While attending Georgia State University she started the Christian Fellowship. She was a trailblazer in her nursing career, establishing the Coronary Care Unit at Tanner Medical Center.  After raising her four children, she returned to the profession she loved, teaching nursing at West Georgia Technical College until her retirement in 2015. During that time, she also taught in-service education classes at University of West Georgia, American Heart Association, and American Red Cross. She was a dedicated homemaker, serving as a teacher, cook, coach, taxi driver, counselor, decorator, and organizer.

A true pioneer, Cheryle was actively involved in numerous clubs and organizations throughout her life, including drama, chorus, cheer, debate, the Nursing Honor Society, and the Carrolton Junior Women's Club (serving two terms as President). She initiated the Believer's Bible Study, was a worship leader at Ladies Full Gospel, helped start Christ Fellowship Church and Christ Academy Christian School, and homeschooled all four of her children before it became widely accepted. She also supported travel sports for her children and traveled extensively with a daughter in music ministry for 13 years, in addition to leading countless Bible studies and Intercessory Prayer Groups in Georgia and Florida. She also devoted her time to leading weekly services at Grand Boulevard nursing home in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

In 2015, she and Dan retired to Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, where they found extended family at Destiny Worship Center in Destin and within their close-knit community at Courtyards of Santa Rosa Beach. Santa Rosa Beach was a very special place for her and Dan, and they made many memories there enjoying life, the sun and sand, and their precious rescue dog, Sam.

Her greatest loves were Jesus, her family, her friends, and the beach. Her children all fondly remember waking up to find their mother in her favorite chair, coffee in hand, worn Bible in lap, prayer journal open, seeking God and praying for countless people.

A celebration of her life will be held at 3:00 p.m. EST on Monday, September 23rd, 2024, at Catalyst Church 1103 GA-113, Carrollton, GA.  The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the atrium.