Betty J. Turner, 87, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, August 30, 2026.

Betty was born on March 27, 1939, to the late William and Vera Phillips in Winter Garden, Florida, where she attended Lakeview High School. She enjoyed her Latin classes there and was involved with the yearbook committee, helping design the annual cover. She would marry before finishing high school. Betty went on to complete her education in 2004, when she graduated from Mercer with her Bachelor of Liberal Arts. It was a lifelong goal of hers, and she considered it a huge accomplishment.

Betty was employed with Martin Marietta of Orlando, Florida. She went on to work at the Naval Training Center doing repairs and maintenance on Flight Simulators. In 1973, Betty began working in electronics at Robins Air Force Base. She eventually went on the flight line, repairing and maintaining the electronics on C-130 aircraft, F-15s, and C-141 aircraft. She would serve in Panama to work on Sea Stallion Helicopters, which were used for drug interception in Central and South America. She went on to become an equipment specialist on the C-130 and then took a position in Foreign Military Service, travelling to American allies such as Israel, Pakistan, France, Egypt, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and England. After retirement, her experience enabled her to continue serving the C-130 community with a private defense contractor.

Betty had a heart for the underprivileged and was a fierce advocate for those she thought had received a raw deal. She was a Child Advocate for Victims of Sexual Abuse, volunteering with organizations that sought to give those children a voice. Betty also participated in several Hospital Chaplain Internships with various hospitals. She even opened her own home to children without their own – she adopted her first child in 1994, then fostered a pair of siblings from 1999 until 2004, when she adopted them as well.

In her free time, Betty enjoyed reading, both for pleasure and to learn. She was a great cook and made a name for herself with her delicious yeast rolls. She was a hard worker with a servant’s heart, known for her warmth, her wise counsel, and her unwavering sense of humor. She was a good friend – everyone always knew if they didn’t have anything else, they always knew Betty had their back. Betty endured difficulties in her childhood, but she didn’t let those things hold her back. Indeed, she thrived in her own life and dedicated her time to the service of others.

Betty was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to all. She loved and cherished her family above all else, and her legacy of service, love, and warmth will endure in the hearts of all who knew her.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her sister, Jeanelle Cook, and her brother, Snookie Phillips.

Her memory will forever be treasured by her children, Susan Beeney of Winter Garden, Florda, Cindy Scheideler of Bozeman, Montana, Earl Sunny Turner of Athens, Georgia, Jeff D. Turner of Centerville, Georgia, Becky Smith of Warner Robins, Georgia, Kayla Turner of Warner Robins, Georgia, and Shantell Beaudoin of Centerville, Georgia; her grandchildren, Denny Hamilton, Ginger Skidmore, Sean Scheideler, Emily Scheideler, Jennifer Laws, Pheobe Smith, Anthony Smith, and Trey Skidmore; her sister, Billie Perritte; and several nieces and nephews; along with a number of extended family and friends.

Visitation will be on Friday, September 4, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of McCullough Funeral Home. Betty will then be laid to rest at Parkway Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of Betty.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.