Iris Aldean Turlington

Iris Aldean Turlington

9/19/1915-5/17/2021

Iris Turlington passed away peacefully on May 17, 2021 at Parkwood Village Assisted Living in Wilson, NC where she had resided for the past 4 years. There will be a graveside service at 11 AM, Friday, May 21st at Clinton City Cemetery with Reverend Tuck Taylor officiating.  Iris was born in Sampson County to Mattie Lee Turlington and Oscar Allen Turlington on September 19, 1915. She was predeceased by her parents and sisters Marguerite Zeigler, Lottie Creel, Trilloe Colonese, and Sarah Jones along with her brothers, Snyder Turlington, Bertrum Turlington, and Marshall Turlington. She is survived by her niece, Helen Davis and her husband Parker, who have lovingly cared for her the past 15 years since she moved to Wilson. She is also survived by nephews  John Colonese, John Zeigler and wife Patsy, Eugene Colonese and wife Dottie, Leon Turlington and wife Lynn, Robert Jones and wife Lori; and nieces Mattie Stockman and husband Donald, Nancy Shapiro and husband Bob, Anna Puglia and husband Michael, Delores Colonese, Carolyn Adams and husband John, and Karla Haislip. She was predeceased by her nephew Barry Turlington and her nieces Vickie Bender and Virginia Shingleton. She also leaves behind many great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. 

Iris served in the WACs during WWII and worked with the State of North Carolina for 30 years. She loved to say she lived on the farm 30 years, worked 30 years, and was retired 30 years when she was 90. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Clinton before moving her membership to West Nash United Methodist Church in Wilson and faithfully attended until she was no longer able to do so.

It was a big highlight when she was able to celebrate her 100th birthday party with all her nieces, nephews, other family members and friends in 2015. She enjoyed seeing everyone so much and spoke of that day often. 

Iris enjoyed playing Canasta with her friends at the Senior Center in Wilson as long as she was able. These new friends embraced her with open arms making her transition to a new city much easier. She loved animals, especially dogs, and loved talking about growing up on the farm with her large family. Somehow the vegetables and fruits in the grocery store never matched up to the ones she remembered on the farm. 

Iris was excellent at crocheting and crocheted an afghan for each family member that married and a baby blanket for each baby born in her family until recent years, completing her last afghan in 2018. 

She also loved music and reading. Iris read innumerable books in her lifetime including reading the Bible through many times. She had a quiet faith and prayed for her family diligently. We rejoice knowing she is with her Lord and Savior where there is no more suffering and pain and she is able to listen to heavenly music. 

The family would like to express their gratitude for the care given by Wilma Askew, Marie Harvey, Parkwood Village, and Community Home Care and Hospice for the compassionate care Iris received.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to West Nash United Methodist Church, 2200 Nash Street N. Wilson, NC 27896 or the First United Methodist Church, 208 Sampson St., Clinton NC 28328

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.crumpler-honeycutt.com.

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