Shelbia Dean Whitley Turner

Shelbia Dean Whitley Turner, age 82, of Rainsville, AL was received into Heaven by her loving Savior on November 28, 2025. Shelbia passed from extended health challenges related to Alzheimer’s disease. Funeral services will be held at Rainsville Funeral Home on Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 2PM with Reverend Terry Turner officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Memorial Gardens in Rainsville, AL. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 30th from 12PM-2PM. Shelbia was a loving, compassionate, and generous wife, mother, and grandmother. Her many hobbies and gifts included, playing the piano, gardening, and sewing beautiful clothes for her family. Shelbia was an expert canner and an amazing cook. She was a talented singer and could harmonize with anyone and sing a beautiful solo with her rich alto voice. She was born to Johnie Leslie Whitley and Vaenell Henderson Whitley on July 16, 1943 in Collinsville, AL. She graduated from Ft. Payne High School in 1961. Shelbia was Salutatorian, President of the FHA, received the DAR Good Citizenship Award, Editor of the school newspaper, and was on the yearbook staff. She came from a very musical family. Her mother played the guitar and they made a gospel album when she was 5 years old. She played the piano and sang with the gospel group, “The Believers” which made one album. Other members of the group were Linda Harris, Merle Teat, Dora Willis, and Kim Harris. She taught her younger sister, Brenda Gail Whitley Stutz to play the piano. Shelbia was her sister’s first piano teacher, best friend, and second Momma. Shelbia married Jimmy Terrell Turner on November 29, 1962. She helped her beloved husband manage the cattle farm and chicken house. They both enjoyed playing cards and games with their many friends. They also enjoyed traveling all over the United States. Shelbia was a member of Rainsville Church of God and was their pianist and clerk for many years. She was a wonderful and meticulous book keeper. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Jimmy Terrell Turner, her sister, Brenda Gail Whitley Stutz, and her three children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Her children Karen Turner Knarr, DVM, husband Robert Knarr, DVM, grand-daughter Katheryn Knarr Green, grandson-in-law Andrew Green, and grandson Jackson Knarr Pam Turner King, husband Tommy King, grand-daughter Tatum Campbell Wilson, grandson-in-law Garrett Wilson, great-grandson Elliott Wilson, grand-daughter Haley Gaskin, and great-grandson Callan Gaskin. Jonathan Terrell Turner, wife Christine Byars Turner, grandson Trent Turner, grand-daughter Aubree Turner Boggs, and grandson-in-law Jared Boggs. As many people knew, MeeMaw struggled with Alzheimer disease, but that is not what she wants to be remembered for. Shelbia was a funny, sweet, Christian woman who had a great sense of humor. She was very resilient and strong. She never stopped doing the things she loved. Shelbia would play the piano, sing Elvis songs, and enjoyed joking with her husband until the end. Her cheerful smile brightened every room and she loved telling everyone “You’re pretty” or “Be Sweet”. Thank you MeeMaw for being the strong and incredible woman you were. I pray that we are even a fraction of the person you were. MeeMaw lived with her heart set on eternity and we will miss her deeply. We rejoice knowing she has stepped into the Kingdom of God, the world she was made for. Special thank you to her caregivers Sandra Brooks and hospice staff of Aveanna Hospice of Scottsboro In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that you plant a perennial plant or bush on your property in honor of Shelbia’s memory.

Shelbia Dean Whitley Turner

July 16, 1943 - November 28, 2025