Sandra Turner passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 15th after a battle with pneumonia. Born in Huntsville, Alabama on September 15th, 1937 she was the daughter of Helen and James Harrison. She lived a happy life full of love and devotion to her family and the Lord. She attended the University of Alabama where she studied Interior design and Liberal Arts. She married the love of her life David B. Turner on February 11, 1961. They raised two sons, David Kyle and Byrne Harrison. She loved her community and loved to be involved. She served on the first Historic Huntsville Foundation Board of Directors, the Hospice of Huntsville Board of Directors and as President of Heritage Junior Women’s Club. She served on the Mayor of Huntsville’s Incentive Awards Committee, 2003-2007.
Her heart for service and leadership extended into her work at NASA where she served as the Executive Assistant to the Marshal Space Flight Center’s Center Director, Chief Protocol/Protocol Officer for the Center, and team lead for Protocol, special events, community relations and speakers bureau. She retired after 39 years of service in December 2012. She did not go without leaving a lasting impression on NASA as proven by the many awards and honors she received. Some of the Awards included NASA Exceptional Service Medal, NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, NASA Silver Snoopy Award, Space Flight Awareness Honoree, 2004 Federal Women’s Program Outstanding Women Achiever, 2 MSFC Center Director Commendations and was listed in the Outstanding Young Women of America.
Sandra’s most treasured involvement was in her church though, where she served as Sr. Warden, lector, Treasurer and currently President of the Daughters of the King at Saint Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Athens Alabama.
She will be remembered for her generosity, her loyalty and love for her friends, her devotion to her family and her amazing red velvet cake and cornbread dressing. She was a true southern lady and will be sorely missed.
She is survived by her sister, Vera Snoddy; son, Byrne Turner, his wife, Melanie, and her grandchildren, SaraBeth (Andy) Dutton, Becca (Nate) Loudin, Sydney Turner and David Nathan Turner, son of David Kyle. She was predeceased by her husband, David B. Turner; her son, David Kyle Turner; and parents, Helen and James Harrison.
Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday, February 20th at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Foster Eich officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
