Robert Turner Obituary

Robert "Bobby" Davis Turner

Dec 12, 1936 - Mar 5, 2026

Robert "Bobby" Davis Turner died peacefully on March 5, 2026, at Arbor Acres Retirement Community in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He was the only child of Mary Bass Turner and Augustus Davis Turner, and was born in West Point, Georgia, on December 12, 1936. Bobby often referred to his "growing up years" in West Point as golden.

Bobby graduated from Georgia Tech in 1959 with a degree in Industrial Management. Bobby was very active in campus life, was President of ANAK, the top leadership society, and President of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, where he would develop leadership skills that launched his adult life.

Most importantly, a fraternity brother introduced Bobby to LeClare Cowart, a freshman at nearby Emory University, and he met her on a blind date. LeClare would be his soul mate and partner in their marriage of 63 years. They resided in Winston-Salem for 46 years following Bobby's recruitment there by the Hanes Corporation, which became the Sara Lee Corporation. Bobby retired as Vice President of Employee Relations. His career reflected self-discipline and hard work.

In retirement, Bobby cherished time with family and the trips abroad with them. The family loved spending time together up at the family mountain home. Bobby valued the time spent with his buddies on the golf course at Forsyth Country Club. He served as President of the board for Hospice, and was also on the board for Arbor Acres Retirement Community, where he and LeClare lived for many years.

A long-time member at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Bobby served on the Vestry and also chaired the Personnel Committee. He was very proud to chair the search committee which brought The Reverend Donald Goodheart to Winston-Salem.

Bobby was a fan of jazz, loved attending performances of the Winston-Salem Symphony, enjoyed playing tennis in his earlier years, and was still taking on 10-mile day hikes in Linville Gorge when he was into his 70's. He was a big athlete in high school, and lettered in just about any sport that you can name.

Bobby will be remembered for being a good listener, and for being very social. His authentic character attracted many friends, and he had a sincere interest in everyone he met. Bobby made each person he met feel like they were important and worth knowing. His curiosity and endless questions reflected his "people person" manner, and he loved engaging with people he met. The best description of Bobby's character would most likely be "he was a good man."

Our family is forever thankful and grateful for the role model he presented, for making sure our values were intact, and for his calm and loving nature. Bobby was a gentleman until the end. We are all proud to have called him father, friend, husband, and grandfather. Bobby brought joy to our world.

Bobby is survived by his son, Robert "Davis" Turner, Jr., and five grandchildren: Rebecca Louise Turner, Robert Augustus Turner, both of Charlotte, and Zollie Barefoot, Turner Barefoot, and Wells Barefoot, who are all from Raleigh. Bobby was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, LeClare Cowart Turner, and his daughter, Sara Turner Barefoot.

We would like to thank Bobby's special friend, Camille Smith, for all of her comfort and care, and for staying by his side. We would also like to send our thanks and appreciation to Jasmar Wagner for her steadfast support and encouragement. We so appreciate how the staff at Arbor Acres cared for Bobby while he lived in Strickland. You are all appreciated more than you know.

A service will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Tuesday, April 21st, at 2 pm, followed by a reception in the Colhoun Room.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 520 Summit Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, or to Arbor Acres Retirement Community, 1240 Arbor Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104. Share condolences online at www.salemfh.com.

Salem Funeral & Cremation Service

2951 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106