It is with heavy hearts that we announce our beloved, Sandra “Sue” Turnbull, of Mesa, Arizona was called up to heaven on January 03, 2025, at the age of 78. She was surrounded by her daughters and loving husband when she went to dance with abandon on the streets of heaven early that morning. Sue was born on October 9, 1946, in Pound, Virginia to Victor Worley and Anna Ruth (nee Mullins) Mullins.
Sue grew up in Baltimore, Maryland where she graduated from Commodore John Rodgers Elem-Middle School, which she referred to as number 27. She would tell stories about growing up on Lamley Street in Baltimore where she enjoyed roller skating, movies, and dancing. Sue had a passion for dance and had managed to attend a live TV broadcast of the Buddy Dean Dance Show when she was 16; back in the day when the Twist, Jitterbug, Mashed Potato, and the Stroll were popular. She would later go on to learn Country/Western dances with her husband Kenny. Sue was always ready for a dance at any event even if she had to create her own.
Sue obtained her first job at the age of 18 as a waitress at the White Coffee Pot in Baltimore where she met and later married her first husband Wilbur “Will” Laughery Jr. She later moved to Apache Junction, Arizona where she continued to waitress. Sue took pride in her job as a waitress and later in life would reminisce about those days. Shortly after living in Arizona, she met her lifelong partner, Kenneth “Kenny” Turnbull. Together they raised their three daughters, Loretta and Norma Laughery from her previous marriage and Kenetta Turnbull.
Her greatest joys and accomplishments were the love of her husband and the gift of being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. When Sue became a grandmother and later on a great-grandmother, she had finally accomplished what she wanted in life – to love and to be loved. She would make it a point to tell her family every chance she got how much she loved them. Her great-grandchildren called her Grandma Rainbow. This was a title she cherished. Many women could be called grandma but none could be called Grandma Rainbow. She was unique and she was loved.
Although Sue was strong-willed and stubborn at times, she was also a fun-spirited soul who loved to play jokes. Most of the time the jokes would be on her. Her antics were legendary and those who knew her have their own stories to tell. She was entertaining and an easy person to tease. She would always say, “Just you wait! Just you wait!” and you would see her wheels turning as she was thinking of a way to get you back.
Sue had her own set of social norms, the ones that felt right in her heart. She was accepting of anyone and she never met a stranger. If she had a conversation with you, no matter what the content or the length was, you were her friend. Sue lived life to the beat of her own drum.
Her legacy is one of unyielding kindness and generosity. Even with little to spare at times, Sue never hesitated to give and help her family and friends. When you went to visit, she would always send you home with something that she thought you would like or need. She would give you her last dollar if she thought that you needed it. You would always hear her say, “What can I help you with, Sissy? Can I clean the dishes? Can I wash your clothes? What can I do?”
You have left a hole in our hearts our loving Mother, our Grandma Rainbow, My Loving Wife (My Honey.)
Family Who Went Before Her
Preceded in joining the Lord: parents Anna “Ruth” Lewis (nee Mullins), Victor Worley Mullins, step-father Curtis Lewis, brother Harold Wallace Mullins and sister Mona Ann Mullins.
Family She Left Behind
Survived by: husband, Kenneth Larry Turnbull, her daughters, Norma Ann (Noah) Panasewicz, Loretta Lynn (Troy) Fendrick, Kenetta Sue (Tommy) McDonald, step-daughter Christine Danette Mallett, grandchildren Jason Mallet, Jerad (Kerri) Irwin, Patrick (Zanielle) Shelley, Joshua Mallet, Kayley Meeker, Jamie (Rusty) Davis, Anabella McDonald, Kamron Meeker, Cheyenne McDonald, Taylor Fendrick, Zoey Thompson, Amberlee (Alex) St John, Desttany Panasewicz, great grandchildren, Sydney Irwin, Valentino “Nito” Chaira Jr., Adrian Gonzales, Ayden Piedra, Isaac Hernandez, Ava Piedra, Kaleb Meeker, Gregory Garcia, Jacob Meeker, Riley Perry, Wade Shelley, Travis Barajas, Alayna Piedra, Archer St John, sisters Victoria “Gail” (Jeff) Mullins, Christy Lynn Buchannan, half-brother Timothy Victor Mullins, adopted brother and nephew Terry Wallace Mullins and she is survived by several loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
“You never said I’m leaving, you never said goodbye. You were gone before we knew it, and only God knew why. A million times we needed you, a million times we cried. If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died. In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still. In our hearts, you hold a place that no one could ever fill. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God took you home.” Author Unknown.
A “Celebration of Life” will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 11am-2pm at Red Mountain Multi-Generational Center, 7550 E. Adobe St., Mesa, AZ, 85207. We invite family and friends to come and share their memories of our fun, unique, and selfless Sandra Sue Turnbull.
Arrangements cared for by Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery.
