Virginia Caudill Turner

Virginia Mae Caudill Turner of Elliottville, 97, died quietly at home, attended by beloved children, on May 13, 2023.

 Born Feb. 19, 1926, in Goshen, Ohio, to John and Nancy Butcher Caudill, sweet Virginia lived on a Christy Creek farm in Rowan County for the past 46 years. She was the widow of Clayton Ray Turner, whose family owned the farm for generations. Virginia remained at home after a long health decline, enjoying WordSearch puzzles and YouTube squirrel videos from her recliner chair, thanks to devoted care by her son Daniel. In her final months, she was in home hospice care.

 In mourning her passing, family and friends retain the love and shy laughter she lavishly gave while she worked hard to make life just a little better, a bit nicer.

Virginia was an accomplished homemaker. Among her earliest culinary success was winning a 4-H blue ribbon for her fried chicken, and another for chocolate pie. In midlife, she fell in love with Mexican food and mastered making green chile enchiladas. Family holidays featured her signature German chocolate cakes. A tireless home canner, she preserved everything from apple butter to zucchini pickles; quarts of her canned half-runner green beans will be savored by family for years to come.

She delighted in dressing her once-young children in clothes she made, everything from rompers to finely tailored jackets. Later, she pieced dozens of quilts and put skilled hands to embroidery and other needlework. She enjoyed bright flowers and vegetable gardening.

And she loved to travel, declaring “I’ve been everywhere! I’ve done everything! I’ve eaten everything!” A favorite trip was to Arizona where she was awed by the beauty of saguaro cactus spilling over the mountainsides. During her rich lifetime, she made a home in 10 states: Ohio, Kentucky, Arkansas, Virginia, Oklahoma, Missouri, Michigan, Indiana, Texas and Pennsylvania.

In every locale, Virginia made dear friends. In Rowan County, she was a co-creator of The Birthday Club, a monthly event that included dozens of members. She was a member of Elliottville Baptist Church and for years has professed impatience to join “the angels.”

In addition to her husband and parents, Virginia was preceded in death by toddler son Clayton Ray Turner Jr., buoyant and beloved brother Bernard Ray Caudill, and half-siblings Arlie, Bertie and Clester Caudill.

Survivors include five children: the Rev. Ronald Mark Turner (and wife Kathy) of Montandon, Pa.; Daniel Darrell Turner of Elliottville; Brenda Carol Turner of Arlington, Va.; Jane Mae Kurtz (and husband Kenneth) of Annandale, Va.; and Dr. Joan Marie Walker (and partner Leigh Draper) of Peekskill, N.Y. “All of my children went to college,” Virginia liked to brag, “and none of them went to jail.”

A visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, at Michael R. Gray Funeral Home in Morehead, Ky. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., also at the funeral home, with the Rev. Willie Sturgill and the Rev. Tim Rhodes officiating. Virginia will then be laid to rest beside her husband, Clayton, and near her beloved mother-in-law and father-in-law, Madge and Claude Turner, in the Williams-Turner Cemetery in Elliottville.

Pall bearers will include nephews Barry Caudill, Michael Linville, Greg Turner, Walter Hargis and Tom Caruso; daughters Brenda Turner and Joan Walker; and admirer Michael R. Gray. 

Contributions are suggested to the Elliottville Baptist Church. 

The Michael R. Gray Funeral Home, 808 Old Flemingsburg Road, Morehead, Kentucky 40351 is caring for all arrangements for Virginia Mae Caudill Turner.