Tonja R. Turner

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend shed her earthly body, surrounded by her loved ones. It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of  Tonja R. Turner, who went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 7, 2025, after a courageous and valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.

Tonja was born on November 16, 1958, to Philip and Shelby Turner. She graduated from Greene Central School in the class of 1977. Tonja had a competitive school spirit; she was an outstanding athlete and loved all sports. She participated in NYS Gymnastics as an all-around competitor and was particularly successful in the high beam competition. Tonja loved music and would always be the first one on the dance floor. Later in life, she earned an associate's degree in respiratory therapy, a field of medicine she was very passionate about. She was employed at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Dillon, SC, and, after moving back to her hometown of Greene, worked at Guthrie (Lourdes) Hospital in Binghamton, NY.

Tonja's greatest loves in life were her grandchildren: Myah, Kolton, Ivy, Isla, and Ronan. She cherished raising her granddaughter Myah.

Tonja's adventurous personality and "tell it like it is" attitude in life are evidence that she lived boldly and loved this life. Her soul touched our lives in the most beautiful ways, and she will be forever loved and missed. She will be remembered as a brave warrior with a passionate spirit and unwavering determination.

Tonja is preceded in death by her parents, Philip R. and Shelby J. Turner.

She is survived by her children, Brian J. Averett II, Kevin R. Averett, Janae K. Meyers, and Shelby L. Kirtley; her grandchildren, Myah, Kolton, Isla, Ronan, and Ivy and her siblings, Phil Turner Jr., Donna Sue Gross, Jeffrey Turner, and Christina Sterling. Tonja also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and treasured friends.

Even though her time with us was cut short, there is no doubt that our love for her is a timeless flame that will continue to shine in our hearts forever.

The family wishes to send their sincere gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, and a special thank you to Dr. Darrin and Sue Willingham for opening their home and hearts and sharing their faith with our beloved sister. She was grateful in ways words could not express.

Per Tonja's wishes, no formal services will be held. Instead, she asked that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to MedStar St. Mary's Hospice House or your local Hospice House.

"And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ." – Ephesians 4:32

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rootfh.com.

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