Lee Edward Turner-Smith

Mr. Lee Edward Turner-Smith was born on January 31, 1975 in Austin, Texas to the union of Lee Edward Smith Sr. and Barbara Ann Turner Smith. On Tuesday, November 5, 2019, he entered into eternal life.

At the age of five years old, he was given to his Aunt Hazel after the passing of his mother. She raised him as her own son along with her son James. The two were brothers and the closest of friends. Lee or “Popeye” as he was affectionately known by his family and friends, graduated from Saginaw High School, “Class of 1993.” He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Olive Baptist Church. He was a member until he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia in the mid-1990s.

Lee had a gift and passion for singing. He also loved being a barber in which he was very gifted as well. He worked as a barber for most of his adult life, along with some other odd jobs which included being a truck driver. This led to him getting his own truck driving business as an independent driver and also acquiring two rigs for his business. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed the game of basketball. Our beloved son, father, brother, nephew, cousin and friend has gone home to glory. We are thankful for his life and this gift God allowed us to have for 44 years.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Barbara A. and Lee E. Smith; maternal grandparents, Johnny and Rella Turner; aunt, Ernestine Richardson; uncles, Johnny Jr., Willie O., Arthur R. and John W Turner.

Surviving him are a son, Kortney Alexander and daughter Katelin Mackenzie Turner, born to the union of Lee and Robin, both of Charlotte, North Carolina; daughter, Indiya Idell Turner, Westland, Michigan; son, Jordan Keon Turner, Atlanta, Georgia; stepson, Cameron Tyus, Austin, Texas; mother, Hazel Jean Turner; brothers, James Otis Turner, Denver, Colorado, Jovon Milan, Chicago, Illinois; fiancé, Kaili Wright; niece, Jamesh Mahan, Flint, Michigan, nephew, Carter Shalafoe, Minneapolis, Minnesota; special aunt who was more like his second mom, Sandra J. Lowery; aunts, Clara Ceaser, Rella (Tina) Williams, Jenifer Turner, Chandra Kirklon, Barbara A. McGee, Ellen Walker, all of Jackson, Mississippi; uncles, Charlie and Patrick Turner, Bennie Smith, all of Jackson, Mississippi, Charlie (Georgia) Turner, Saginaw, Michigan, Otis Turner, Muskegon, Michigan, Willie Lee Turner, Flint, Michigan; cousins raised like brothers, Andre, Adaryll (Melonie) Turner, Saginaw Michigan, Ashton (Brittany) Turner, Columbia, South Carolina; special cousins, Mario Turner and Anita Moore; many other relatives and friends, including special friends, Anthony Dent, Mike (Subrinia) Bennett, and Derrick of Atlanta, Georgia.

The family would like to express special thanks to Pastor Chevez Marshall and Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor James Snead, Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.