Mr. Turner Thompson, a proud World War II veteran, lifelong farmer, and dedicated family man, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the age of 101 at Blue Ridge Therapy Connection in Stuart, Virginia.
Born on July 3, 1925, in Patrick County, Virginia, Turner was the son of the late John Henry Thompson and Notie Alice Puckett Thompson. Turner Thompson honorably served his country as a Private First Class and Military Policeman in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theater. For his dedicated service, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. What he experienced and witnessed during the war instilled in him a commitment to live life to its fullest, which he did with grace, hard work, and respect for everyone he met.
Upon honorable discharge, Turner returned to Ararat, Virginia, where he married the love of his life, Virginia Montgomery. They shared 58 beautiful years of marriage before her passing. Turner spent his life working the land as a tobacco, cabbage, and cattle farmer. He found true joy in the rhythm of agricultural life, always looking ahead to the next season’s crops, striving for improvement.
After retiring, Turner embraced a love for travel, exploring all 48 contiguous states alongside his wife, her sister Mildred, and her husband Joe Pell. He also continued to raise cattle and plant a large garden. He enjoyed camping, fishing, walking at Mayberry Mall, and catching up with friends and neighbors at senior meetings and Boyd’s Restaurant. He was a competitive Rook player who loved a good game with family and friends. A man of quiet faith, Turner regularly attended Salem Fellowship Church as long as he was able. In recent years, he cherished visiting his sister-in-law, Jinky Montgomery, reminiscing about old times while she tended to her greenhouses. Above all, Turner put family first, and his role as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather brought him his greatest joy. He never missed a family event, especially a dance recital or a ballgame.
In addition to his beloved wife and parents, Turner was preceded in death by three sisters, Mattie Young, May Belle Smith, and Mildred Glenn; and six brothers, Alvis, Lawrence, Benton, Fred, Ralph, and Claude Thompson.
His legacy of hard work, respect, and deep familial love lives on through his son, Turner Thompson, and daughter-in-law, Linda; his grandson, Adam Thompson, and his wife, Kayla; his granddaughter, Aimee Thompson Culler, and her husband, Michael; his three precious great-grandchildren, Fallon Elise Culler, Dalton Turner Culler, and Sadie Mae Thompson; and a special niece, Patsy Newsome-Crant.
Visitation will be at Moody Funeral Services of Mount Airy, Sunday, October 18th, from 6 to 8 pm. The Service will be held at Moody’s Chapel on Monday, October 19th at 2:00 pm, with burial to follow at Oakdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to some of Turner’s favorite charities: St. Jude’s Hospital, Shriner’s Hospital, the Appalachian Christian Project, the Disabled American Veterans, or Salem Fellowship Church of Mount Airy, NC.
Online condolences may be made at: www.moodyfuneralservices.com
