Mr. Emory W. “Buddy” Turner, age 70, of Rock Springs Community, died Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at his home after an extended illness under the care of Community Hospice of Vidalia.  He was a native of Toombs County and lived in the Rock Springs Community most of his life.  He was a 1971 graduate of Toombs Central School and began a forty-one year career in the grocery business in 1970.  He was store manager for several grocery stores including Piggly Wiggly Southern/Brunos, in both Lyons and Vidalia, for twenty-five years, Harvey’s/Food Lion for fourteen years, and Harvey’s/Southeast Grocery for two years.  He was named Store Manager of the Year for Piggly Wiggly in 1994, Store Manager of the Year for Harvey’s Banner in 2008 and 2009, and was awarded the overall Store Manager Winner out of 1,400 stores under Delhaize of America.  He was a member of New Corinth Baptist Church and he enjoyed deer hunting and fishing.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Junior Wallace Turner and Myrtle Lee Walker; his grandparents who raised him, Alonzo Wilkes and Alice Maude Wilkes; and sister, Dianne Carroll.

His family includes his wife of fifty-two years, Diana Sharpe Turner of Rock Springs; one daughter, Leslie Turner Cox and husband Patrick of Alston; one brother, Eric Turner of Vidalia; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home on Friday evening, February 23rd from 6:00 until 8:00.

The funeral service will be Saturday afternoon, February 24th at 3:00 in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Pastor Reece Mincey officiating.  Burial will follow at Sharpe Cemetery near Alston.

Flowers are accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice Foundation, PO Box 2277, Vidalia, GA 30475.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.