Quarlee "Sweet Thang" Turner

Quarlee Turner was born on July 25, 1932, in Clark County, Arkansas, at the old Bud Taylor home on Kansas Road. She was delivered by a respected local midwife, Mrs. Hattie Tatum, during a time when many births in rural communities took place at home surrounded by family and neighbors. She was the beloved daughter of Arnold Turner and Earma Key Turner. Raised in a close-knit community her early years were shaped by family values and hard work.

Quarlee was an independent woman and mother. She began to forge her life with hard work while raising her six children as a single mother, but able to provide for them well beyond the necessities of life, exceeding the equivalent of a two-parent home. Quarlee worked as a cook at the Baptist Hospital in Gurdon and the Clark County Hospital in Gurdon. She remained dedicated to her Christian beliefs and brought up her children also knowing and loving the Lord. In raising her children cooking became second nature.

Cooking was one of Quarlee's greatest expressions of love. She was a true Southern “boiling pot” cook whose kitchen became a gathering place for family and friends. Her legendary chicken and dumplings, homemade caramel cake, rich chocolate pie, and countless other soul food favorites left lasting memories around her table.

Quarlee's energetic personality, generous spirit, and joyful pursuit of life made her a magnet for people from all walks of life both young and old. Having long overcome her youthful shyness, she became known for her quick wit, infectious charm, and unmistakable sense of humor. She had a way of making everyone feel welcomed, loved, and important.

As a spirited grandmother, she refused to be called "Grandma" or "Big Mama," insisting those titles made her sound too old. Instead, she lovingly instructed her grandchildren to call her "Sweet Thang." What began as a playful nickname soon became the name by which she was affectionately known by family, friends, and many throughout the community who had the privilege of knowing her.

Even at the remarkable age of 93, Quarlee's youthful spirit never faded. She continued to encourage, uplift, laugh, and play with the enthusiasm of a teenager while never hesitating to offer wisdom, guidance, and loving correction when it was needed. She found joy in traveling, fishing, attending blues concerts, listening to her favorite song, "The Thrill Is Gone," and cheering on a good basketball game.

Quarlee remained rooted in Gurdon, Arkansas—the community she loved and the place that helped shape the extraordinary woman and friend she became. Surrounded by family, lifelong friends, and neighbors, she embraced life and the simple pleasures that brought her lasting happiness.

Quarlee passed sweetly from this life on Monday, July 20, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arnold Turner and Earma Key Turner; all of her siblings, Jessie Turner, Jr., US Pollins, Roy Pollins, Clarice Jackson and Queen Ester Pollins; her children James “Jamie” Bell, Doyle A. Turner (December 10, 2013), Robert Allen Turner (August 1, 2017), and Delois "Lisa" Flecia Henry (December 15, 2021).

She leaves a lifetime of memories with her children, Thomas “TS” Ollison of Gurdon, AR and Pamela Williams OF Raleigh, NC; twelve grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren; and close friends, Gloria Marks Brazil and Doris Gulley. She also leaves a large number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends both young and old.