Ruth Turner Furey

Ruth Turner Furey, 89, passed away on March 29, 2016. Mrs. Furey was born in 1927 at a turpentine camp in Cross City, FL, the daughter of Ervin Rogers Turner and Mildred Bracey Turner. Mr. Turner, a South Carolinian, worked previously in the naval stores industry in Mississippi and saw his good position vanish as the Great Depression set in. In pursuit of work, he moved his family to Cross City, then to Sylacauga, AL, then to Seale, AL. Always ambitious, Mr. Turner responded to advertising by Harley Langdale, Sr. of Valdosta, GA, for a manager for his naval stores and timber operation at an established camp in Barwick, GA. This was a tremendous lift out of poverty for the Turner family. Mr. Turner became sole owner of the business and established six camps. Ruth’s brother, William Turner, upon his safe return from his U.S. Navy service in the Pacific Theater during World War II, rejoined the family business. All family members worked in the business, including Ruth, who began in bookkeeping at age 14. She was valedictorian of her high school graduating class, received a scholarship, and at age 16, enrolled at Georgia State Women’s College (now Valdosta State University). She majored in Business, was a Dean’s List student, and was heavily involved in campus life. Ruth excelled at tennis, volleyball, and golf, and loved dancing most of all, attending dances and entertaining troops at military bases, USO, and a military hospital. During her senior year, she was honored to be selected as representative of the Senior Class as a “Lady of the Court” for the annual Springtime Festival. After receiving a Bachelor’s degree at age 20 and planning a business career, Ruth moved to a town that had good teaching job prospects and was hired on the spot at a large high school. Being new to teaching, Ruth became overwhelmed by very large classes, and ultimately vowed teaching was not for her. Ruth returned to South Georgia, where destiny prevailed and she accepted a teaching job at a local high school. From the first day, it evolved into a mutual admiration society with students, parents, and their teacher. She had instant rapport with her students and taught an array of subjects. This happy experience motivated her to enroll at Florida State University Graduate School to achieve full professional credentials in teaching. Her leadership qualities enabled her to be an innovative, effective teacher and also excel in extracurricular activities. She was honored by being named Teacher of the Year, and later named Teacher of the Year for the entire school system. After completing several courses of study at Valdosta Technical College (now Wiregrass Georgia Technical College), she was offered a position setting up a new program in Business and Office Occupations. She accepted and established the successful program using a four-day work week. After a number of years she retired as Instructor in Business and Office Technology. She then devoted several years to helping her family with their business, Rosin Pine Hunting Plantation in Brooks County, GA. Mrs. Furey enjoyed receiving many letters of thanks from her former students who gave her much credit for their successes in life. She and her husband Robert moved to Tallahassee, FL in 1994, and became involved in the community. Mrs. Furey stayed current with the latest technology and volunteered with the former Tallahassee Community Hospital, Maclay Gardens, and the American Cancer Society. She enjoyed entertaining, decorating, crossword puzzles, watching PGA Golf and Turner Classic Movies and celebrating special occasions with family. Mrs. Furey is survived by her devoted husband of 35 years, Robert Joseph Furey, and her loving daughter, Karla Maria Goodson, Tallahassee, FL. She is also survived by her loving son and daughter-in-law, Joseph Anthony Bono and Nancy Hahn Bono, Windermere, FL; two nieces, Shannon Turner, Valdosta, GA, and Nancy Turner Gandy, Atlanta, GA; great-niece Jenna Lasseter Carroll (Jake), Atlanta, GA; great-nephew, Landon Turner Lasseter, Grenada, West Indies; and stepsons John Furey, Vicksburg, MS; Daniel Furey, Valdosta, GA; and stepdaughter Margaret Furey Carter, M.D., St. Simons Island, GA. Mrs. Furey was predeceased by her parents, Ervin Rogers Turner and Mildred Bracey Turner; brother and sister-in-law, William Bracey Turner and Ruby Jones Turner; nephew, William Bracey Turner, Jr., son-in-law E. Walter Terrie, Ph.D., and stepson Robert Francis Furey. Graveside services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 9 at Rosewood Cemetery in Barwick, GA. Allen and Allen Funeral Home (229-226-6331) is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to either of the following organizations: Gulf Specimen Marine Lab, Panacea, FL, http://www.gulfspecimen.org or Saint Francis Wildlife, http://www.stfranciswildlife.org/ .