Naomi Rose Turner of Marion

MARION – Naomi Rose Turner, 87, passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2017, in South Gate Nursing Home in Metropolis.

Naomi was born Oct. 17, 1929, in Marion to Arthur and Clara Watkins.

She married Francis Moody Turner on March 26, 1946, and he preceded her in death on Nov. 22, 1988.

Naomi was a member of Community Chapel in Marion. She was part of the greatest generation -- born at the time of the 1929 stock market crash, causing The Great Depression of the 1930s.

She was from a family of nine brothers and five sisters. These were hard times. Her father died in his 50s in 1945 at the end of World War II. There were still five children at home to be raised by their mother. There was no welfare or food stamps back then.

Naomi had a very independent, proud spirit. She believed that you work for everything you got.

A pioneer in the women's workforce after World War II, she started working at Norge Washing Machine Plant in Herrin in 1954 and worked there for almost 40 years.

Naomi had a severe stroke in May of 2015 which seriously limited her ability to walk and function.

She loved the Lord and fought a good fight.

Naomi's generation and her family served their county well. Her father, husband, and brothers, Boyd and Arthur Jr., were all World War II veterans. Her son, Gary, was a Vietnam veteran. Three generations of war.

Survivors include her son, Gary Turner; brother, Lynn Watkins; sisters, Margie Gore, Helen Holloman and Melanie Sutton; grandchildren, Ginger Perez, Travis Turner and Jamie Turner; and great-grandchildren, Noah Perez, Mia Perez, Clayton Turner, Mackenzie Turner and Cayleb Turner.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Rodger Watkins, Arthur Watkins and Boyd Watkins; sister, Ruth Boyt; grandchild, Shianne Rose Turner; and great-grandchild, Cayleb Perez.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 15, in Blue Funeral Home in Marion with the Rev. Donnie Colson officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial donations are suggested to Community Chapel and will be accepted at Blue Funeral Home, P.O. Box 411, Marion, IL 62959.

For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, visit www.bluefuneralhome.com.