Highland Cemetery

Pawnee, Pawnee County, Oklahoma

© Poteet Funeral Home
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Rosie Edna Perry Turner

December 12, 1924 ~ May 8, 2021

Rosie Edna (Perry) Turner, 96 years, 4 months, 26 days, passed from this life on May 8, 2021, at Southern Oaks Care Center in Pawnee, OK. She was born on December, 12, 1924 in Hobart, OK to Nannie Louise (Gorham) and Patrick Clayborn Perry. She was the youngest out of 12 children. Rosie married Raymond “Ray” Leslie Turner on October 7, 1940 in Reno, NV and they had 3 children, Doris, Rose Mary, and Raymond Jr. (Sonny). Ray and Rosie made their home in Clovis, CA, later moving to Madera, CA, then finally settling in Pawnee in the early 80s. She attended the Pawnee Assembly of God Church over 40 years.

Rosie picked cotton in her youth and told many stories about her family growing up in the hills near Watonga, OK. Rosie later took in ironings in her home and also assisted her daughter Doris for several years at Skyline Donut Shop in Pawnee. Rosie loved her 11 siblings and you could be certain that when her siblings would get together, they would play cards and you had to watch some of the sisters, because they liked to cheat at cards. They would simply flash a winning smile when caught, or would blame it on not being able to see properly or not understanding the game, etc. Never anything serious and always in good fun for the Perrys.

Rosie particularly enjoyed her sister Sybil “Bobo” Hatfield. They would ride around together and Bobo would be the “eyes” while Rosie drove. Rosie said she had been hit in the eye with a dirt clod in her youth so it was difficult for her to see the lights, whereas Bobo couldn’t drive but would tell Rosie the colors of the stoplights. This made for an “interesting” ride and people usually knew they were coming. They went many places together around the Pawnee area; they did their shopping every week, went to yard sales, and drove to Stillwater to shop at Wal-Mart. They did this well into their 80s, until Rosie’s car mysteriously stopped working and no mechanic was ever able to solve the mechanical mystery for some reason. Rosie’s daughter Doris and her husband Bob took them on many adventures. They traveled coast to coast and did this until Rosie and Bobo’s health declined to the point they could no longer travel. You never knew where they were going to go next or where they would show up; it could be California, Branson, New York, Florida, etc. You just knew that where they showed up, there was going to be a lot of laughter and love. For the past few years, Rosie and Bobo were roommates at the Southern Oaks Care Center.

Rosie was an absolute delight and her sense of humor is legendary. She had the ability to bring laughter and joy to others, had several silly sayings and jingles, and always had a smile to share. She loved entertaining and especially very big get-togethers. Countless meals were had at her house. She loved having fish fries and huge dinners and inviting anyone and everyone. She was an incredible cook and her fried chicken is said to be the best ever. She loved having an excuse for a big meal and always made a fuss about birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or people coming in from out of town, you name it. She used that opportunity to make a meal out of it and always made it with love and nobody walked away from her house without being full. She wanted you to make yourself at home and wanted you to be fed and comfortable. She had a knack for somehow making you feel that her seeing you was the absolute best part of her day. Forever young; she usually considered herself much younger than people even 20 years her junior.

Rosie had 5 generations alive at once. She had a total of 3 children, 8 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 16 great-great grandchildren! What a legacy she built and she loved them all.

Rosie is survived by children Bob and Doris Brown, Jennings, OK; Glen and the late Rose Weaver, Pawnee, OK, and Raymond (Sonny) Jr. and Karen Turner, Pawnee, OK. Grandchildren Jim and Tammy Austin, Gary and Kimberly Austin, Louis and Jill Triana, Wayne Boyd, Eric and Glena Hoffman, Mike and Jennifer Dillard, Christine Turner, and Nicholas and Samantha Turner. Great grandchildren Raymond Austin, Nick and Misty Austin-Yerby, Carl and Jamie McClendon, Ian Austin, Stacy Rigby, Chris Lockheart, Clayton Austin, Rilley and Kaylee Venable, Luke Fisher, Rikki Fisher, Avery Fisher, Gracie Austin, Joseph and Tiffany Makey, Aubrie Triana, Emily Triana, Dylan Triana, Kobe Hoffman, Talon Dillard, Preston Dillard, Tyler Turner, Olivia Linder, Finn Turner, and Knox Turner, Great-great grandchildren Alanna Austin, Patrick Austin, Baylee Bart, Kaytee Bart, Lucas Bart, Lexea McClendon, Camden McClendon, Connor McClendon, Payton Barbour, Carcyn McClendon, Lola Austin, Elijah Austin, Dean Austin, Sophia Austin, Hudson Turner, and Avery Case. She is also survived by a host of other relatives, including nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as many friends.

Rosie was preceded in death by her husband Ray, her daughter Rose, her parents, 11 brothers and sisters, and a number of other relatives and friends. Services will be held graveside at Highland Cemetery in Pawnee on Wednesday, May 12 at 10am.

She will be greatly missed.