Phyllis Jean Turley

Phyllis Jean Turley, 88, of Ridgeview, WV, went home to be with the Lord on September 7, 2018. God’s presence was felt as our mother transitioned to her heavenly home after many years of suffering and illness.

She always had the desire to return to college, so at age 35, after she had all of her children and they were in school, she returned to complete her bachelors in education, masters degree with reading specialization, and 45 additional college hours prior to her retirement. She actively taught her remaining years, and after retirement substitute taught until she was 80 years old. She was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa sorority. She was a lifetime PTA member. She was member of the Brush Creek Presbyterian Church, but in recent years attended with her family at Ashford Church of God (Holiness).

She is remembered as a teacher who mentored lives to encourage their highest achievement, whatever that meant. Many students, now adults, visited her when her body physically declined, and expressed to her how much her teaching shaped their lives. Some have commented that she was the reason they pursued their careers, including teaching. Even in her last days on this earth, she assisted some of her caregivers in studying the basic skills for some of their entrance exams. Teaching was her life!

Her children will remember her for her guidance, love, and rocking them into the night with earaches and illness; then getting up and going to work next morning. She motivated them to achieve and she was proud of each one. However, the grandchildren and great grandchildren kept her going in her last years. Until her last days, her main questions were about each one and what they were achieving in school.

The family wishes to express appreciation for the care given at home by very special people including, but not limited to, Teresa, Mary, Crystal, Mindy; and to the staff of Brookside personal care, Camp Creek, WV, for their wonderful care. Again, it is impossible to list each one but all were so appreciated. Also, for the staff of Hospice of Charleston, WV.

She was preceded in death by her husband (Donald Wayne); parents (Cecil and Ina Mae Peters); sisters Blanche (Billie) and Helen); son in law (Rick Peros); sister in law Sarah Peters; brother in laws Robert Elkins and Fred Mackey; and nephews (Mike and Leonard Peters).

She is survived by her children: Pam (Michael) Gaunch of Evans, WV; Sue Peros of So. Chas, WV; James Wayne (Nancy) Turley of Ridgeview, WV. Also surviving are her brothers Clyde (June) Peters of Ripley, WV; Leonard Peters of Charleston, WV; Norman (Kaye) Peters of Top Sail, NC; Harold Dean Peters of Fairmont, WV; Grandchildren: Michael (Lori) Gaunch; Jennifer (Daniel) Gygax and their children: Jacqueline, Jessica, Michael, Dr. Kristen (Paul) Helmick and children: Daniel and Lily, Amy (Jason) Scott and children: Ashby, Jaycee, and Jamison, J. D. (Sabrina) Turley and children: Audrey and Uriah.

In lieu of flowers: Mom was gravely concerned for her great-grandson who has Dravet syndrome (rare form of epilepsy), Uriah, and there is current fundraising for the travel and care needed to secure his therapy dog for his seizures. His care requires many health related trips to Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio; donations can be designated and sent to his family : c/o J. D. Or Sabrina Turley, 4425 Woodrum Lane, Charleston, WV 25313. Prayers greatly appreciated.

Service will be 2 p.m. Monday, September 10th at Handley Funeral Home, Danville with Randall Kinder officiating. Burial will follow in Boone Memorial Park, Madison.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

You may express your condolences to the family at www.handleyfh.com.