SMITHFIELD—Frances Elder Turner, 92, widow of S. Ray Turner and daughter of the late Henry Nowlin and Homie Monroe Elder formerly of Brookneal, died July 11, 2007, in Riverside Convalescent Center.

Mrs. Turner

was a graduate of Longwood College and came to Isle of Wight in 1938 to teach at Isle of Wight High School. It was there she met and later fell in love with S. Ray Turner, her husband of 53 years.

In 1949, after six years of teaching at Isle of Wight High School, Frances began work with the Department of Welfare, retiring in 1973, from her position as director of Social Services for the County.

As director, she remembered most fondly placing more than 35 children for adoption.

She was a member of Isle of Wight Christian Church where she served as deacon. She also taught Sunday school and was active in Women’s Fellowship.

Survivors include her daughters, Raye Atkins and husband Jess of Chesterfield, Barbara O’Brien and husband Ed of Sevierville, Tenn.; and her son, Stanley Turner of Isle of Wight; her grandchildren, Tara Atkins-Brady and husband Ed of Palmyra, Todd Atkins and fiancee Jodi Humpage of Richmond and Laura Reid and husband Rob of Richmond; two great-grandchildren, Emma and Ella Brady; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends today from 6:30 until 8 p.m. in Colonial Funeral Home, Smithfield.

A memorial service, officiated by the Revs. Joe Talley and Richard Prince, will be held in the funeral home Saturday at 11 a.m. A graveside service will follow in St. Luke’s Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Isle of Wight Christian Church, c/o Bobby Ray Edwards, financial secretary, 18335 Bob White Road, Windsor, VA 23487.