SERVICES:     Monday, May 4, 2026

Mt. Olive United Methodist Church-Ovett

2:00 p.m.

INTERMENT: Bethel Memorial Cemetery-Ovett

VISITATION:     Monday, May 4, 2026

Mt. Olive United Methodist Church

12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Barbara Ann Turner Brownlee of Ovett was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 29 at 9:42 am, surrounded by love of her children. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 4, 2026, in the Mt. Olive United Methodist Church. Bro. Charles Waddell will officiate.  Interment will follow and will be laid to rest alongside her family at Bethel Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be nephews Harry Turner, Don Turner, Kelton Turner and Jerry Killiam and grandnephews Carson Turner and Caleb Killam.  Special music will be provided by grandniece Kaley Turner.

Barbara was born on Tuesday, April 17, 1945, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, to Harlon and Cleo Turner.  She was the third eldest of nine children, and she was a born caretaker to her younger siblings. Barbara's parents raised her to work hard and to love her family harder.  Barbara was a lifetime member of Bethel Baptist Church, the church she grew up in with her family (the church founded by her father and grandfather).  In September of 1968, she married her husband Lamar at Bethel and later raised her children in this church.  Barbara was a longtime secretary at Bethel and often oversaw Vacation Bible School there each summer.  She later attended Mt. Olive United Methodist Church where she and her family were welcomed with open arms.

Barbara was a lifelong resident of the Whitfield community and attended elementary school at the old Whitfield School and she graduated from Ellisville High School in 1963 when it was located on the campus of Jones County Junior College.  Barbara went on to be a bookkeeper at the Credit Bureau in Hattiesburg, a baker and cashier at Classic Cookie in Laurel, a secretary at Tower Loan in Ellisville and a clerk at Rodger's Family Pharmacy in Petal.  However, her all-time favorite endeavor was being a mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend.

Barbara had a deep love for all things soup and she enjoyed preparing a large pot for her family (just ask her brother Odis). She enjoyed preserving summer's bounty of fresh vegetables every year; especially tomatoes, okra, butterbeans and strawberry figs.  She loved arranging flowers for her home and for her loved ones that had gone on before.  Her favorite breakfast consisted of homemade milk gravy, a fresh biscuit and a cup of hot coffee.

More than anything, Barbara cherished spending time with her family and friends and creating lasting memories with those she loved.  She will be remembered for her dedication to family and for warmth and the love she shared with all who knew her.  Her presence will be deeply missed by all who loved her.

Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 40 years Robert Lamar Brownlee; her loving parents Willam Harlon Turner Sr and Cleo Marie Walters Turner; her protective brothers WH Turner Jr., Terrell Turner and Ronnie Turner; her fiercely loyal sisters Ellen Turner and Virginia Moody; and her precious nephew Art Turner.

Barbara is survived by her children Albert Lamar Brownlee, Pamela Marie Brownlee and John William Brownlee, all of Ovett; her brothers Odis (Beverly) Turner of Ovett, Rickie (Sandy) Turner of Ovett and Larry Turner of the Sanford Community; along with a host of nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly.

And while our hearts are shattered that you are gone and that we will never have another hug from you or hear your sweet voice say, "I love you" and "hey baby," we know that your body and your memories have been made whole again, and for that we rejoice. Rest in Heavenly peace, Mama.  We love you forever and always.