Rebecca Worley Turner
January 26, 1945 - July 15, 2025
Rebecca "Becky" Turner (Worley) died on July 15, 2025, just after family left her side. A lifelong Franklin County resident, Becky lived a rich life reflecting her cheerful nature. As family and friends often said, " Becky is the happiest person I know." Still, she faced life's travails, most notably losing her daughter, Nina, after which she rebounded thanks to her beloved granddaughter, Nicki. Across her life, she balanced good and bad with an optimism that served as an inspiration. Raised in Ferrum on the hill above St. James Methodist Church, she had a happy childhood filled with a large extended family, playtime with friends, garden and house chores, and fun times with her favorite dog, Donnie. Her sister Patty was an integral part of her childhood and adolescence, and they remained close over their lives. She attended the Ferrum School and later Franklin County High School and enjoyed flirting with boys, going to movies at the Mount Theater, and dancing at sock hops, popular in the 1950's. She met her husband, Kenneth, at a putt putt course in 1962 and marriage quickly followed. Along came her two children, whom she raised lovingly, guiding them to pursue their interests, instilling in them love of family and a focus on purpose, and the need to be kind to all people. Becky ran a tight ship at home, keeping an orderly and clean house, and tending to shrub and flower beds at three homes in Rocky Mount. She loved her lilies, boxwoods, hanging ferns, and house plants. Balancing work as a secretary for three decades at Fleetwood Homes with child rearing, she always put her children first. She was an avid cook, favoring local cookbooks and recipes from friends and Southern Living magazine. Her deviled eggs, chicken casserole, turnip greens and other side vegetables, and fruit cobblers were always delightful. Becky was also an avid reader, particularly of crime and thriller novels, and was fond of afternoon naps. She adored her poodles Mimi, Pepper, Brandy, Emily, and Chloe, and several cats over the years. She also enjoyed traveling, exploring such destinations as California, Canada, the Carolinas, New England, and Pennsylvania, and she especially loved the Peaks of Otter and Williamsburg closer to home. Mindful of her heritage, trips to England and Wales were special to her. Once in London she decided to experience the "lazy Sunday afternoon of a British lady" with a good book at the BnB in lieu of being out and about touring the city. Overall, across her life, she found its purpose in embracing the simple things, a habit which she left to her family. Becky was predeceased by her husband (Kenneth Douglas Turner), daughter (Nina Turner Ozmore), parents (William Wiley Worley and Ruby Woods Worley), sister (Patricia Worley Hatcher), son in law (John Ozmore), and best friend (Judy Barnes). Continuing as part of her legacy are her granddaughter (Nicki Tate-Ozmore), son (Dr. Gregory Douglas Turner), great grandson (Jackson Douglas Turner Ozmore), son in law (Paul Camacci), grandson in law (Curtis Tate), brother in law (Charles Hatcher), sisters in law (Barbara and Betty Turner), many sweet nephews and nieces, and loads of cousins. She also leaves behind good friends (Gloria Wade among many others) and staff workers who cared for her at Franklin Health and Rehab the last years of her life. To those CNAs and nurses at FHR, the family is sincerely appreciative. Becky's life will be celebrated by those closest to her in the fall, and her ashes will be interred next to Kenneth at St. James, where some of her beloved pets are buried nearby. Her cheerful nature, eternal smile, and love of family will serve as a beacon of remembrance for many. May she enjoy her reunion with Nina and Kenneth, and all the others she loved. In the end, Becky lives on and is still right here with us.
Turner, Rebecca
