Mary Melissa

Broxton Turner

In humble submission to the will of God, Melissa Turner answered the call of her Lord & Savior on April 20, 2024.  Mary Melissa Broxton Turner was born on July, 11, 1926 in Elba, Alabama to the parentage of  Mrs. Willie Mae & Mr. John Edmond Broxton.  Her parents moved to Chipley, Florida where she stayed with her maternal grandparents and aunt when she was 8 years old.  She was the apple of their eye and the only grandchild.  She was educated in Dothan Alabama and then transitioned to Chipley, Florida where she walked to a old house where her father got the County to paid for a teacher.  She attended there until she graduated 8th grade and then entered T.J. Roulhac High School.  Melissa graduated with perfect attendance, honors and then went to college and graduated.

Melissa taught school in Washington County and then served as the School Food Service Director.  She later became a LPN and worked in the office of Dr. Henry Knowles for 17 plus years and retired.

Melissa married James Thomas on February 9, 1946 and was blessed with a daughter and son.  She later married Hilton Turner on September 15, 1952 and was blessed with another daughter.  Both husbands and her daughter (Betty Brown Nesmith) preceded her in death along with her parents.  She leaves to cherish her memories a son: William C Thomas of Toms River, NJ; a devoted daughter: Eleanor F. Turner of Tallahassee, FL; a grandson: Welch Brown Jr. (Mother Betty Nesmith) of Catersville, GA.