Florence Herbert Turpin, 92, of Decatur, died November 16th at Summerford Nursing Home, Falkville, Alabama. There will be a memorial service today, November 20, 11 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Decatur.
Mrs. Turpin was born September 27, 1926 in Hammond, Louisiana to Adele Marie and Donald Douglas Herbert. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Lindsey Turpin Jr. She spent over 60 years as a resident of Natchez, Mississippi where she was active at Trinity Episcopal Church.
In her long and varied bookkeeping career, she worked at Johns Manville, Cole’s Department Store, and Approved Machinery Corporation. She served as secretary for the Pilgrimage Garden Club and secretary to former Mayor Tony Byrne before launching a second career in the restaurant business.
Mrs. Turpin and Loveta Byrne renovated the old Natchez Depot building and opened the Sidetrack Restaurant in the early 70’s. Several years later when another historic building became available, Mrs. Turpin’s connections from her Pilgrimage Garden Club days were key in securing the oldest building on the Natchez Trace, King’s Tavern, where she opened the Post House restaurant with partner Bobbye Porter.
In the late 1980’s, Mrs. Turpin partnered with Leola Ables, former kitchen manager at the Post House, and opened Westbank Eatery on the banks of the Mississippi River in Vidalia, Louisiana. She spent over 30 years in the restaurant business in the MS Lou area where she loved hosting friends and family, meeting new people, and mentoring the young staff.
Survivors include her brother, Donald D. Herbert Jr. (Ann), of Meridian, Mississippi; sister, Joan Herbert Weaver, of Mobile, Alabama; daughter, Dodie Turpin Hall (Darius), Decatur, Alabama; daughter, Laura Turpin Smith, Decatur; son, Howard Lindsey Turpin III, Stockton, California; five beloved grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, Decatur or Trinity Episcopal Church, Natchez, Mississippi.
