Verba Lee Jones Turner
Verba Lee Jones Turner, of Nederland, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 6, 2025, at the amazing age of 105. She was born October 13, 1919, and grew up on a small farm in the Zerath Community, just north of Kirbyville, Texas. When asked to what she attributed her long life, she would answer, “I was raised on country sunshine.” And that would be followed by, “God has been good to me all my life!”
She was part of a large family that included eight brothers and five sisters, the children of David Jones and Iola Hawthorne Jones, all who predeceased her. She was proud that they held an annual family reunion for over 80 years, bringing together multiple generations of descendants who knew attendance was important and expected.
She was also predeceased by her husband of 73 years, Walter Herbert Turner, a World War ll Veteran and US Navy retiree. As his wife, she lived on both the east and the west coast of the United States before they retired back home in Texas. On the subject of the difficulties of being a Navy wife, she would quote the King James Version of Philippians 4:11, “I have learned, whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Pun intended.
Verba Lee reared three children who survive her; Barney H. Turner and wife, Dawn, of St. George, Utah; Becky Turner Bray and husband, Bob, of Keller, Texas; and Ginger Turner Cooper, of Nederland, Texas. She is also survived by seven grandchildren; Stacey Turner Belnap (Scott), Herb Turner (Krista Jo), Gary Turner, Amy Bray Collett (Ted), Rachel Bray Johnson (Jared), Maggie Bray Junior (Andrew), and Leah Moore Vara (Manny); numerous great-grands and great-great-grands; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She loved her church family at First Baptist Nederland and for many years was active in her ladies Sunday School class and in the Silvertones Choir. One of her favorite things to do was to work in her yard and her beautiful flower beds were the envy of the neighborhood. Perhaps the top of her list of favorite hobbies was taking and collecting pictures, earning her the nickname of “Fuji Grandma.” (You’d have to remember the Fuji film to understand that.) She left hundreds of thousands of photos in frames, albums, boxes, and bags.
Verba Lee was blessed with loving, professional assistants from Montebello Home Care and then, more recently, at Advocates House, a residential care home in Port Neches, Texas. She often said, “I am well cared for!”
Verba Lee loved planning and hosting parties where balloons were always a necessity. A final celebration of her life will begin with visitation at 1:00 p.m., and her funeral service to follow 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 12, 2025, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. Her interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary Nederland
- 505, North 12th Street, Nederland, Texas, 77627,
- May 12, 2025
- 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Funeral Service
Broussard’s Mortuary Nederland
- 505, North 12th Street, Nederland, Texas, 77627,
- May 12, 2025
- 2:00 pm
Interment
Oak Bluff Memorial Park
- 618, Block Street, Port Neches, Texas, 77651,
- May 12, 2025
Ginger, Becky, Leah and family,
Aunt Verba Lee was the sweetest aunt who always focused on her love of uncle Herbert, her children, her grandchildren and her Christian faith. Her love of family reunions and doing research on generations of family history was always a light within her. She never forgot a family member and shared so many wonderful memories of growing up with us all. She is going to be so missed by everyone in the Jones and extended families who were blessed to know her. I know she is beyond happy to be in Heaven with uncle Herbert, her parents and all her siblings. They are catching up with their own reunion in Heaven. ❤️❤️
Prayers lifted for God’s comfort and peace to all the family. Love you all.
Joy
Dear Ginger and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with ya’ll today and in the time ahead. We will all miss Aunt Verba Lee. What an amazing lady and a gold standard for faith, family, friends, love and kindness. I cannot imagine a life better lived. Remembering her will always make us smile and we carry on her legacy through the wonderful stories of her time here.
As my grandpa’s last living sibling, her parting marks the end of a generation that so shaped my life. I will remember her well.
All our love to you all.
Dear Ginger and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you’ll today and in the time ahead. We will all miss Aunt Verba Lee. What an amazing lady and a gold standard for faith, family, friends, love and kindness. I cannot imagine a life better lived. Remembering her will always make us smile and we carry on her legacy through the wonderful stories of her time here.
As my grandpa’s last living sibling, her parting marks the end of a generation that so shaped my life. I will remember her well.
All our love to you all.
Ginger, we were so sorry to hear about your dear mom. We sure loved her. May you know she’s now healthy and happy in the arms of our dear Lord. Prayers for you and your family. Love, Denise.
My condolences to you. What a blessing to have had so many years with your beloved mother and grandmother.
I am very sorry to read of Mrs. Turner’s passing. How wonderful it is that she was blessed with such a long life! She and my mother, Eunice Day Andrues, were first cousins; their mothers were sisters. I have fond memories of attending Mr. and Mrs. Turner’s golden wedding anniversary celebration nearly thirty years ago. They were a lovely couple.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences in your loss.
Love,
Carol Corbin
Thinking of you with love, Ginger & family. Rita Carriker Fields
Grandma, we are going to miss you.you were a true example of family love, and longevity and health. You left amazing family who is passing down your legacy.
Say hi to grandpa for us.❤️❤️❤️
Mrs.Turner, was like a mom to me. I took careof her for a longtime, I will miss her very much. Love you, mom, RIP.