Leslie Kent Turner

Leslie Kent Turner, age 54, passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2020, after a brief battle with cancer.  He was born on August 3, 1965 at the Americus-Sumter County Hospital to Helen James Turner and the late Larry Lee Turner, Sr.  He is a life-long resident of Ideal, Georgia.  Leslie attended Southland Academy and Macon County High School.  He also attended South Georgia Vocational and Technical College where he studied to become a machinist.  He worked for many years at Suggs Machine Shop in Butler, Georgia until he retired due to health issues.  He was his mother’s primary caregiver for the few years prior to her going to live at Miona Geriatric and Dementia Center. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as trapping. He was a member of the National Trappers Association and spent many hours in the woods which he enjoyed. He was also a talented craftsman who created beautiful things in his woodworking shop.  He especially enjoyed building things for his family particularly his grandchildren and his grand-niece, Chandler Catherine Enfinger.  One of his most prized creations was the cradle that he built for Chandler at her birth.  His last project was a homemade see-saw that he built for her this past Christmas. He was already planning his next project for Chandler.  He built both Chandler and his grandchildren rocking horses which they all enjoy very much. Leslie was known for his ability to fix anything and build anything. If he could not fix it, he would Google it until he found a solution. There were very few times that he was unable to repair something. He always found a way.

He is survived by his mother Helen Turner of Ideal; his “bonus” children, who have cared so lovingly for him during his illness, Shauna and Scotty Layfield of Oglethorpe, Georgia and Brandi and Jeremy Benford of Ellaville, Georgia; his “bonus” grandchildren Courtney and Chance Easom, Dylan and Ambry Layfield, Cody and Lexie Layfield all of Oglethorpe, and Savannah and Garrett Benford of Ellaville; his “bonus” great-grandchildren Bentley, Kloe and Brax Easom and Brantley, Oaklyn, and Carter Layfield; his siblings Lee and Cathy Turner of Ellaville and Lauren Turner of Bainbridge; his nieces Alicia Turner of Columbus and Liana Turner of Richmond Hill and his grand-niece Chandler Enfinger of Richmond Hill.  He is also survived by many cousins and friends.  He was predeceased by his father Larry L. Turner, Sr and his grandparents Lester B. James, Curt and Rosa Mae James Bowling, and C.B and Dolly Turner.

Per his wishes, he will be cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date due to the Covid -19 pandemic.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Miona Geriatric and Dementia Center Resident Christmas Fund (201 Poplar Street, Ideal, GA 31041) or Phoebe Sumter Hospice (126 East Furlow Street, Americus, Ga 31709).

Cox Funeral Home of Bainbridge is in charge of arrangements.

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