Mae Zella Barckley

Mrs. Mae Zella Barckley, a beloved soul born to Walter Turner and Odell Brock Turner, spent a life marked by unwavering faith and profound love. Though she was ten years from living a century, Mrs. Barckley's steadfast dedication to her family echoes throughout her 90 plus years on this earth. With faith as her compass, she found solace in Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where she remains an enduring matriarch of her family and congregation. She was educated in the Talladega County School System where she attended Salem School and Talladega County Training School (TCTS). Mrs. Barckley later became an inspector with Magic Chef (MCD) for many years before retiring to enjoy the fruits of her labor. Mrs. Barckley was known for her talent in crafting, cooking, and baking, always putting her heart and soul into creating beautiful works of art and delicious meals for her family and friends. Her love for gardening, traveling, and shopping enriched her life, and she often regaled others with stories of her adventures, including a memorable trip to Germany. Mrs. Barckley had a vibrant and lively spirit, characterized by her playful sense of humor and her ability to connect with everyone she met. She had a contagious energy that brought light and warmth to those around her. Mrs. Barckley's commitment to cleanliness and care shone through in everything she did. She emphasized the importance of hygiene, always ensuring that her loved ones were well-fed and taken care of. Her nurturing nature and attention to detail were truly admirable qualities that will be dearly missed. After bearing witness to five generations and a lifetime of cherished memories, Mrs. Barckley, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, and sister attained eternal peace on a serene Tuesday evening, while in the comfort of her home encased in the love of her family. As the angels welcomed her into eternal glory, she reunited with her dear departed loved ones, including her parents, Walter and Odell Turner, her son, Bennie Carl Turner, brothers, Troy Lemon, Alfonzo Turner, and Robert E. "Hut" Turner, sister, Mary Joyce Turner, granddaughter, Jamelia Turner, sons-in-law, Merrick Watkins and Richard Groce, and special cousin, Emma Seals. To honor and celebrate her legacy, Mrs. Barckley leaves behind her four devoted sons, Bernard (Doretha) Turner, Clarence (Granitia) Turner, Washington Ellis "Burt" Barckley, and Devon Barckley; three loving daughters, Brenda Faye Watkins, Bernice Turner Groce, and Janice (Danny) Turner Groce; bonus son, Lovell "Pop" Groce; Goddaughter, Nola Orr Beavers; special cousin, Pearl Fomby; devoted caregiver, Joyce Beck; fifteen grandchildren, Felecia (Joe) Johnson, Cedric Watkins Sr., LaCendia (Ken) Swain, Tamara Rigaud, Porche Turner, Monika, Meka Turner, Brandon Watkins, LaCarlos Curry, Danielle Groce, Natasha Barckley, RaShaad Barckley, Tonisheya (Keimon) Henderson; eighteen great-grandchildren, Crystal, Cedric Jr., Aliyah, Justin, Anthony, Alexandra, D'Andre, Delvoneer, Kentavious, Kendall, Teighan, Gabriel, Makai, Tecauris, Bruce, Annalise, Dozier, Denim, and two on the way, Baby Errington and Baby Raven; two great-great-grandchildren, Nadia and Baileigh; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. May Mrs. Barckley's spirit soar boundless in the heavens, her memory a cherished light guiding us in the years to come. Her love remains eternally with us all. Although a pillar of the community has gone before us, Mrs. Mae Zella Barckley has left a legacy behind, and she will truly be missed by all the people she has encountered and lives she has touched.

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Mae Zella Barckley

October 20, 1933 - June 4, 2024