Margarine Faye (Hamilton) Turner

Margarine F. Turner

October 18, 1937 – February 5, 2023

Mrs. Margarine Faye Hamilton Turner, 85, of Wichita Falls, Texas formerly of Lewisville, Arkansas, made her transition from this earthly tabernacle to her home with God in the early morning hours of Sunday, February 5, 2023, surrounded by her children.

On October 18, 1937, in the New Morningport Community, Henry and Birdie Mae McDonald Hamilton welcomed their second daughter into their family.  She was the eighth of eleven children born to this union and the last to depart this earthly life.  She was from a family of strong women, and was a take charge person as well. She learned to cook and keep house helping her mother and sister take care of their home.

She professed a hope in Christ and accepted him as her personal Savior at an early age at the New Morning Port Church in Lafayette County, Arkansas.  Later she moved her membership to Unity Missionary Baptist Church, formerly known as Antioch, in Lewisville, AR. There she was a member of the Sunday School, Missionary Society, the Senior Choir, Usher Board and Gospel Chorus.  Her parents, Henry Sr. and Birdie Mae McDonald Hamilton, her brothers, Henry Jr., M. C., Luther, J. B., Fred, Cifers, Roscoe, Alvis and Herman Lee Hamilton, her sister Marjorie Hamilton Shepherd, sisters-in-law, Betty DeShay Hamilton and Linda Hamilton, and her beloved husband, Ivra Jr., all preceded her in death.

Margarine was a graduate of Lewisville Colored High School, which became Foster High School. She was nicknamed “Neat” for her attention to her hair and clothing. Margarine was a multi-talented person. She could do it all. She became a talented seamstress while in high school under the tutelage of Mrs. Craddock. Not only was she a talented seamstress, but she was also an excellent cook, singer, organizer, hairdresser and musician.

She aspired to attend college after graduation, but life had a different trajectory for her.  On December 18, 1957, she married her high school sweetheart, Ivra Lee Turner Jr. in her parent’s home with Rev. Charlie R. McMillen officiating. During their 31 years of marriage, the Lord blessed them with three children, Evelyn Faye, Ivra Leon and Anita Fern. Margarine was no stranger to hard work. She held down a job and took care of her family. Unlike many children today, her children had breakfast every day before leaving for school and a hot meal for supper. She sent her husband off each morning with breakfast and prepared his lunch plus a thermos of coffee.

Margarine was an awesome wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She could whip up an outfit for herself and her children at a moment’s notice.  If you visited her home, you felt welcomed and would always find something good to eat on the stove and a delicious dessert cake.  Homemade rolls, spaghetti, German Chocolate Cake, scratch banana pudding and Caramel cake were a few of her specialties. 

Ivra Jr. and Margarine were a team. Together, they raised their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  They attended Antioch Baptist Church, which later was renamed Unity Missionary Baptist Church.  They made sure that their children were engaged and active in church, academically in school and supported them in their extracurricular activities. When her husband was working to take care of the family, she attended every extracurricular which her children were involved.

She and her husband were active church members who took their responsibilities and service for God seriously.  Their children were as well throughout their formative and teen years at the church.  She was the director of the Junior Choir and served as president of the Gospel Chorus, an acapella women's singing group. 

Her service extended to the Columbia Baptist District Association. She attended the Congress of Christian Education, the District Association, January and April Boards meetings. She participated in the District Choir. She was active in the Women's Department where she served as vice president. 

When she wasn’t occupied with all of her family, hobbies and church duties, she was an active member of Green Bay Chapter Number 227, Order of Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliated, under the Jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge and the Royal Grand Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliated Jurisdiction of Arkansas.    

Margarine was an excellent organizer.  The first Turner family Reunion was her baby.  Deciding the menu, determining the venue and garnering her troops for the task. Her organizational skills were often put to the test at church. She used her culinary gifts for many meals for afternoon programs and special events.

By profession, she was a certified dietitian. Her employment included nutritional staff at the Lafayette Memorial Hospital and the cafeteria manager for Foster Elementary and High School then later for Lewisville Middle School. She received her certification as dietitian from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. After the birth of her third child, Anita, she became a full-time homemaker. 

Margarine and her sister, Marjorie were close. They would shop together and often dress alike. They were together when there was leisure time. Because of their bond, Robert Earl, Carl and Sharon are close to Margarine’s children and they have an awesome relationship with each other that remains until this day.

God saw that she was weary and decided that it was time for his child to come home. She leaves to cherish her memory: her three children, Leon (Yolanda) Turner of North Richland Hills, TX, Anita (Travis) Evans of Bedford, TX, and Evelyn F. Turner of Forrest City, AR; her grandchildren: Jessica Leigh of Phoenix, AZ, Jordan Lawrence (D'Amonique) of Chicago, IL, Joycelynn Lauren and Jacquelyn ‘Lizabeth Juanita Baker of Bedford, TX; two sisters-in-law, Earl Dean Hamilton of Mountain Pine, AR and Helen Hamilton of Stamps, AR; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends and church members.

Her service will be held Saturday February 11, 2023 at Hamilton-Davis Funeral Home Chapel at 12:00 P.M., 415 East First Street; Stamps, Arkansas 71860 with interment in Old Town Cemetery, Lewisville, Arkansas, immediately following the service.  Her only public viewing and visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until 11:45 just prior to her Homegoing Service, this will be the only viewing.  All family members need to be at the chapel prior to 11:45 A.M. for the service to start promptly at 12:00 noon.  

Her Homegoing Celebration will be viewable live on the Hamilton-Davis Facebook page as well livestreamed on our website at: https://www.hamiltondavisfuneralhome.com   

We are asking that all who plan to attend the visitation or the funeral service wear a mask.  It is not only to protect you but especially, to protect those who will be around and beside you since COVID is still active. 

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