Barbara Jean Turnbow

Barbara Jean Turnbow, born February 11, 1944, in Ridgely, Tennessee, passed away on September 26, 2026, at The Pavilion at Cornerstone Place in Lebanon, Tennessee. She was 82.

Barbara lived a life centered on caring for others, both in her work and in her home. She worked as a nurse’s aid, was a former employee of Bellsouth Telephone Company, and was also a homemaker. In each of these roles, she gave of herself in ways that reflected her steady spirit and deep devotion to those around her.

She was a member of the Red Hat Society in Decatur, Alabama, and Lebanon, Tennessee, and was Baptist by faith. Barbara enjoyed life’s adventures, liked going on cruises, and loved to travel. Above all, she loved her family very much, especially her grandchildren, who held a special place in her heart.

She is survived by her three sons, George Pettie of Nashville, TN; Robert Turnbow of Sacramento, CA and Marvin Jackson of Memphis, TN; her three daughters, Stafanie Still of Lebanon, TN, Dianne Jackson of Dyersburg, TN and Luanne Otis of Virginia Beach; fourteen grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren. Her love for her family was one of the defining blessings of her life, and her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew her as mother, grandmother, family member, and friend.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Turnbow; her father and mother, William and Myrtle Washburn Ray; her daughter, Roxanne Otis; her brother, Pete Ray; and her sisters, Linda and Minnie.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Dyer County Memorial Gardens, 2455 St. John Ave, Dyersburg, Tennessee 38024. Family members and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery. Dyersburg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Robert Turnbow, Marvin Jackson, George Pettie, J.T. Stll and J.R. Still.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association of Nashville, 478 Craighead Street, Ste 200, Nashville, TN 38204 or at Alzheimer's Association

Barbara Jean Turnbow will be remembered with love for her warmth, her faith, her enjoyment of travel and fellowship, and the deep affection she gave so freely to her family.