1927
Phyllis
2019
Phyllis Dye Turner
September 11, 1927 — January 6, 2019
into the night on January 6th, 2019 with her husband, the love of her life for 67
years, Edward (Ned) Turner, Jr. by her side. She was born September 11, 1927 to
Theodore C. Dye & Eleanor B. Dye in Dayton, Ohio where she grew up. She
married Ned, also from Dayton, September 1, 1951, and in 1960 they moved to
Terre Haute, IN and settled into their lifelong home.
Phyllis earned her Bachelor's degree in English Literature from Skidmore College,
Sarasota Springs, NY. During college she was an Editor of the Skidmore News, a
proud member of the Skidmore Riding Team and a sincere student of the arts.
After finishing college she taught English in Massachusetts and Missouri. Phyllis
returned to school after raising four children and in 1984 earned her MA in
Theatre at Indiana State University. Following graduation she was an Adjunct
Faculty Member of the ISU Communications Department and became an
honorary member of Theta Alpha Phi. She also enjoyed a number of years as a
writer and Assistant Director at Summer Stage Repertory Theatre and later served
on the Crossroads Repertory Theatre Advisory Committee. Phyllis was a very well
read individual and always had a quote, a saying, a missive or a humorous tidbit
to share, (usually in her signature green ink), but she believed in proper English
and would not hesitate to politely correct your grammar!
Phyllis was a devoted volunteer and loved her Terre Haute community. She was a
proud member of her PEO sisterhood, Chapter BN; St. Stephens Episcopal
Church, Swope Art Museum Alliance, Girl Scouts USA, Community Theatre of
Terre Haute, and the Country Club of TH. She was a Past President of the Covered
Bridge Girl Scout Council, a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader (where she created the
camp riding program), organizer and Director of "The Little Stage Players," (a
puppet group that toured the Vigo County elementary schools), and she
contributed to a number of other organizations. She was honored with The
Marilyn Wheeler Pendergast Award for Outstanding Dedication to Swope Art
Museum having served as a member of the Board of Overseers, held the offices of
Vice-President and President, volunteered as a docent and on many committees.
Phyllis was an emeriti member of the Board of Overseers-Life Member of the
Swope Alliance.
Perhaps one of her greatest gifts to others was to share her compassion for
horses and respect for all of God's creatures. She rode her entire life and had
many horses and animals over the years. She taught riding at Cimarroncita
Ranch Camp in New Mexico in her earlier years and was the Owner and Director
of Honey Creek Riding Academy for several decades, her pride and joy, where she
was able to pass along her genuine care for all life to many others.
Others have said Phyllis is a legend and there is not enough newsprint to cover
her. She cared deeply for her family and friends and they are her legacy. She
embraced life, lived day by day and would wish you to celebrate rather than
mourn her passing. We believe she would say "I was blessed. My life was full and
rewarding, thank you all for a wonderful time, but now I must pass. Tally Ho!"
Survivors include her husband Edward T. Turner, Jr; children Chris Turner Miller
(and Bill) of Reston, VA; Julianne Turner Stuart (and Jim) of Oakland, CA; Edward
Turner, III (and Jeanette) of Conifer, CO; Marjorie Turner McCornack (and Bob) of
Albuquerque, NM. She also leaves five Grandchildren, three Great Grandchildren,
many nieces and nephews, and her brother Theodore C. Dye II. She was preceded
in death by her two sisters Julianne Trenholm and Eleanor Morgan.
Memorial Services will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 19th with a
reception to follow at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 215 North 7th St. with the
Reverend Drew Downs officiating. A private burial will take place in Woodland
Cemetery, Dayton, OH at a later date. The family kindly requests that in lieu of
flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Stephens Episcopal Church,
Swope Art Museum, Terre Haute Humane Society, Crossroads Repertory Theatre
or a charity of your choice. Memorial tributes and funeral arrangements are
under the direction of Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th St. and
may also be found at www.callahanaandhughes.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Phyllis Dye Turner, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Services
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
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