Jessica R. (Young) Turner passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning on April 12, 2024, at Via Christi Village, Manhattan, Kansas. She was born on August 22, 1926 in Hattiesburg, MS to James Cully Ratcliff and Etta (Poole) Ratcliff.
Jessica was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and 2 sisters. She was next to the youngest in a family of 8 children.
She met her future husband, A. Finley Young while he was working for Coleman’s in Hattiesburg, MS. They were united in marriage on August 25, 1946. To this union were born 3 daughters, Patricia Ann, Diana Lynn and Marsha Kay, and one son Keith Wayne who preceded her in death in 1978.They were married for 24 years when Finley died in 1970.
Jessica and Finley raised their children on a farm in Larned, KS. She was a busy farmer’s wife feeding harvest crews, planting gardens, helping repair farm equipment when Finley needed assistance. She was a wonderful seamstress, sewing clothes for the daughters, prom dresses and a suit for Keith when he requested, because he felt left out. She competed in the county extension sewing contests; and won top prize.
Jessica decided to go back to work in 1963 part-time at JC Penney in Larned after the children were in school; and continued with that job until 1971. She went to work as bookkeeper in the Pawnee County Treasurers Office and continued that job until her retirement in 1987.
Jessica saw to it that Diana, Marsha and Keith all attended college, and they all graduated from K-State University.
Jessica married Alvah A. Turner on July 23,1982 at Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs with their children and spouses in attendance.
In 1987 Alvah and Jessica moved to Memphis, TN so he could attend seminary, with the hopes of teaching in a small Christian college. While, he was attending seminary Jessica re-decorated the entire townhouse; and landscaped the courtyard. An undertaking she really enjoyed, even taking a class to learn the particulars of landscape architecture. Jessica enjoyed the city living; and she lived close enough to her siblings in Mississippi to travel to see them often during the 5 years they were in Memphis.
Jessica and Alvah returned to Kansas in 1992 choosing to make their home in Hutchinson, KS. They were active in the Baptist and Methodist churches in Hutchinson as they had a
blended faith marriage. This afforded them the opportunity to meet many new friends in Memphis and Hutchinson.
Jessica became a widow for the second time in 2004 when Alvah passed away. She stayed in Hutchinson until she moved to Manhattan KS in 2014, where Patricia and she built townhouses next door to each other.
She is survived by three daughters, Patricia Griffin, Manhattan, Kansas, Diana(Paul) Nickel, Manhattan, Kansas, Marsha K. Young, Greer, South Carolina. Her grandchildren Jason(Felicia) Nickel, Brian(Melissa)Nickel, Juliana(Travis)Myers, Tara(Spencer)Metcalf, and Trent Beaver. She has 11 great-grandchildren.
She is a member of the Blue Hills Baptist Church in Manhattan; was active in the American Baptist Women’s group at the church.
The Celebration of Life will be held at Beckwith Mortuary, 916 Main, Larned, Kansas on Saturday, April 20,2024 at 1:00pm, with Paul Nickel presiding, burial will be in Larned Cemetery following the service.
The family would like to invite, anyone who wishes, to join us at Edward’s Street Brew & Bite,603 Edwards St, Larned, Kansas for the celebration of her life.
Memorials may be given to the Keith Young Memorial Scholarship Foundation at Kansas State University College of Agriculture in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.