Catherine Lankenau Turner, 94, passed away peacefully at her home on June 22, 2024. She was born in Savannah to the late Clyde Francis Lankenau and Elizabeth Goodrich Lankenau. She graduated from Savannah High School before attending Armstrong Junior College and graduating from the University of Georgia. It was at Armstrong that she met the love of her life and husband of 57 years, the late DeLamar Turner, Jr. After spending their early years in Atlanta and then Savannah, Del and Catherine made Jekyll Island their family home. Catherine was a lifelong educator and taught for over 25 years at C.B. Greer Elementary School, where she was honored as Teacher of the Year in 1987. In retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her husband, before taking over ownership and management of Dallas Bluff Marina on the Julienton River. She loved everything about the marsh, the tides, the birds, the moon and the abundance of beauty in life on the river, which often included children and grandchildren coming to boat, fish and swim. 

As an only child, Catherine always dreamed of having a big family. She realized her dreams as she and Del amassed a great loving family that will miss her love and leadership. Catherine is survived by her six children, DeLamar Turner, III and his wife, Sue of Dallas Bluff, GA; Margie Moore and her husband, Alan of Pensacola, FL; Nancy Brown and her husband, Jimmy of Brunswick, GA; Robbie Turner and his wife, Betsy of St. Simons, GA; Barry Turner and his wife, Lisa of Mocksville, NC; Cathy Wells and her husband, Chuck of Valdosta, GA; fourteen grandchildren – DeLamar Turner, IV, Mary Catherine Harper (Bo), Jay Brown (Lauren), Andrew Turner (Becca), Scott Turner (Nikki), Ashley Hooper (Josh), Brian Turner, Jeff Brown (Ashley), Summerlyn Cummings (Robert), Stephen Turner (Sarah), Catherine Vaughn (Tyler), Lauren Belt (John), Mitchell Turner (Rebecca), and Brandon Wells; as well as 23 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother-in-law and his wife, Norton and Pat Turner of Hickory, NC and their family, as well as extended family and all of her wonderful friends at Dallas Bluff Marina. 

A special thank you to our family nurse, Nancy, and Catherine’s friends and caregivers, Elouise, Judith, Ashley, Billie and Lori who assisted in her care at home, as well as Dr. James Green for his care in recent years. 

Services will be held at Shellman Bluff Baptist Church on June 29, 2024, with a visitation from 10:00am to 11:00am, immediately followed by a memorial service starting at 11:00am. The family will have a private graveside service at Bonaventure Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any remembrances be made to: 

Shellman Bluff Baptist Church, 1282 Sutherland Bluff Drive NE, Townsend, GA 31331; or 

Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, GA 31525.