June 8, 2025, 78, Goldsboro —

Arthur Ray Turner of Goldsboro went to be with his Lord and Savior while surrounded by his family on June 8, 2025.

The visitation will be held at 10 a.m. on June 14, 2025, at Faith Free Will Baptist Church in Goldsboro with the funeral service held directly after at 11 a.m. The family will greet friends immediately following the service at the graveside which will be held at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Princeton. 

Ray, “Mr. Papa”, was born in Johnston County on August 13, 1946, to the late Jesse James and RosaEllen Christine Ellis Turner.  He was a faithful lifelong member of Faith Free Will Baptist Church in Goldsboro where he served as a past Sunday school teacher, Deacon, bus captain, choir member. He was always willing to serve wherever needed.  His love for his family, church, and God was known by all. 

By trade, he was a custom home builder throughout Wayne County, along with his business partner and lifelong friend, whom he loved like a brother, James Wiggins. Ray was very musically inclined, playing many instruments including the harmonica, banjo, guitar, and mandolin. He loved to create music with lyrics on the spot all the time. His sense of humor, wisdom, faith, and undying love for his family will be missed by all who knew him. 

Those carrying on his legacy include his loving wife, Judy Turner; two daughters, Kim Phillips and husband, Viking of Surf City, NC and Sherry Bartlett and husband, Nick of Goldsboro, NC; seven grandchildren, Brittany Wright(Leeper), Kristina Downs(Phillips), Jessica Brown(Leeper), Kasey Jernigan(Phillips), Meghan Best(Bartlett), Brett Bartlett, and Brooks Bartlett; twelve great grandchildren and his beloved dog, Little Bit. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Tabitha Sue Turner, his seven sisters and his son-in-law, Ricky Leeper. 

The family is in the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.