Obituary for Alice D. Turner (Matthews)
Alice Diana Matthews Turner (“Cis”) died peacefully surrounded by her family (and some Elvis music) on November 19, 2021. Alice was born on May 10th, 1945, in Henning, IL. She graduated from Decatur Central High School in 1963 where she was a member of “The Sunshine Society” whose mission was to spread helpfulness and kindness to others. As a senior she worked on fund-raising efforts for charity.
Alice entered the workforce right out of high school and chose to remain at home to help support and care for her parents. As a young woman, Alice bought one of her most prized possessions a 1965 powder blue Mustang. And some of the stories that go with that Mustang will go unmentioned...
Alice centered her adult life around family. Unbeknownst to Alice, she would soon welcome the chance to be very involved in the lives of her nephew, Tim Matthews, her niece, Renata (Matthews) Zimmerman, as well as her other niece (years later), Sarah Jennison. She was the first to laugh, be in on the joke (ok, maybe instigate it) or say “yes” to just about anything…She loved being the extra “parent” who will fill the front row of anything she could attend such as performances or important life events by family members. The stories about Cis, both the ones she created and the ones she found herself a part of always illicit laughter when re-told.
Her commitment to family expanded when she married army veteran, Tennyson Turner on October 12th, 1979, in St. Augustine, Florida. Although they never had any children of their own, they loved to be silly and entertain any of the young children at family gatherings. They enjoyed taking little road trips, having fun at garage sales, and caring for their pets. Tennyson preceded Alice passing away on October 28th, 2014, after 35 years of marriage.
Alice found her most enjoyable stretch of her career at the IUPUI medical library where she forged deep relationships with colleagues and staff. Again, always looking for something to celebrate, she often led efforts for the party. She was widely known on campus amongst those who frequented the library (staff and student alike) as an excellent cookie baker. She regularly treated many by baking and passing out treats “just because”. Likely influenced by her mother Mary, who made cookies & candy for EVERY holiday. In fact, her cakes were works of art that made the birthday celebration extra special. Nothing was ever too much trouble for Alice if she thought it would make you happy.
Cis was loved by everyone who was blessed to meet her. She always had a smile on her face and looked for opportunities to do for others – even at times when she had little for herself. Friends quickly became family and family was always first. She had a powerful bond with her younger sister, Rosemary (Matthews) Jennison. The two were often found together, whether it was as teens at the “Dog in Suds” on the westside, or later as adults shopping, having lunch or taking roads trips to see her niece, Sarah. Later when Rosemary became ill, Alice devoted every Wednesday (altering her work schedule), so she could spend the afternoon with her sister, just the two of them. Cis loved her “favorite brother-in-law” (her only one) Ron Jennison (RJ) as though he were her own brother. He was her partner in all things funny. The feeling was mutual as the two of them had a very special relationship. As such, RJ was committed to Cis until her final day. When it came to her older brother, Ron Matthews, she both loved and respected him.
Her generosity extended to those she did not even know. Although children were always her passion, she would be the first to help anyone in need. One of the reasons she loved working at IUPUI, aside from her colleagues and frequent lunches with her sister, was the proximity to Riley Children’s Hospital. She used breaks or time after work to take stuffed animals to the children at Riley or visit bedside when there was an opportunity to brighten a child’s day. Her spirit filled the room, and the day was always better when you had the chance to spend it with “Aunt Cis”. She will be missed beyond measure.
Alice is survived by her nephew, Tim Matthews, her niece, Renata (Matthews) Zimmerman, her niece, Sarah Jennison, and her “favorite brother-in-law”, Ron Jennison. She had unconditional love for them and for their stellar spouses whom she all thought hung the moon: Beverly (Graves) Matthews, Brent Zimmerman, and Doug Rice. In addition to the above, she is survived by a whole tribe of “greats” and “great-greats” from the Matthews side that she adored. She treasured time with each of them. She is preceded in death by her parents, Hosie & Mary (Moreland) Matthews, her sister, Rosemary (Matthews) Jennison, her brother Ronald Matthews as well as her husband, Tennyson Turner.
A family visitation will be held from 9am - 10:30am, Friday, November 26th, 2021 at Jones Family Mortuary, Mooresville. Graveside services will immediately follow the visitation at 11am at West Newton Cemetery in Indianapolis.
In lieu of flowers, Alice’s family would ask that you consider memorial gifts to Riley Children’s Hospital.
To leave an online condolence or to share a favorite story about Alice please visit www.jonesfamilymortuary.com
Alice entered the workforce right out of high school and chose to remain at home to help support and care for her parents. As a young woman, Alice bought one of her most prized possessions a 1965 powder blue Mustang. And some of the stories that go with that Mustang will go unmentioned...
Alice centered her adult life around family. Unbeknownst to Alice, she would soon welcome the chance to be very involved in the lives of her nephew, Tim Matthews, her niece, Renata (Matthews) Zimmerman, as well as her other niece (years later), Sarah Jennison. She was the first to laugh, be in on the joke (ok, maybe instigate it) or say “yes” to just about anything…She loved being the extra “parent” who will fill the front row of anything she could attend such as performances or important life events by family members. The stories about Cis, both the ones she created and the ones she found herself a part of always illicit laughter when re-told.
Her commitment to family expanded when she married army veteran, Tennyson Turner on October 12th, 1979, in St. Augustine, Florida. Although they never had any children of their own, they loved to be silly and entertain any of the young children at family gatherings. They enjoyed taking little road trips, having fun at garage sales, and caring for their pets. Tennyson preceded Alice passing away on October 28th, 2014, after 35 years of marriage.
Alice found her most enjoyable stretch of her career at the IUPUI medical library where she forged deep relationships with colleagues and staff. Again, always looking for something to celebrate, she often led efforts for the party. She was widely known on campus amongst those who frequented the library (staff and student alike) as an excellent cookie baker. She regularly treated many by baking and passing out treats “just because”. Likely influenced by her mother Mary, who made cookies & candy for EVERY holiday. In fact, her cakes were works of art that made the birthday celebration extra special. Nothing was ever too much trouble for Alice if she thought it would make you happy.
Cis was loved by everyone who was blessed to meet her. She always had a smile on her face and looked for opportunities to do for others – even at times when she had little for herself. Friends quickly became family and family was always first. She had a powerful bond with her younger sister, Rosemary (Matthews) Jennison. The two were often found together, whether it was as teens at the “Dog in Suds” on the westside, or later as adults shopping, having lunch or taking roads trips to see her niece, Sarah. Later when Rosemary became ill, Alice devoted every Wednesday (altering her work schedule), so she could spend the afternoon with her sister, just the two of them. Cis loved her “favorite brother-in-law” (her only one) Ron Jennison (RJ) as though he were her own brother. He was her partner in all things funny. The feeling was mutual as the two of them had a very special relationship. As such, RJ was committed to Cis until her final day. When it came to her older brother, Ron Matthews, she both loved and respected him.
Her generosity extended to those she did not even know. Although children were always her passion, she would be the first to help anyone in need. One of the reasons she loved working at IUPUI, aside from her colleagues and frequent lunches with her sister, was the proximity to Riley Children’s Hospital. She used breaks or time after work to take stuffed animals to the children at Riley or visit bedside when there was an opportunity to brighten a child’s day. Her spirit filled the room, and the day was always better when you had the chance to spend it with “Aunt Cis”. She will be missed beyond measure.
Alice is survived by her nephew, Tim Matthews, her niece, Renata (Matthews) Zimmerman, her niece, Sarah Jennison, and her “favorite brother-in-law”, Ron Jennison. She had unconditional love for them and for their stellar spouses whom she all thought hung the moon: Beverly (Graves) Matthews, Brent Zimmerman, and Doug Rice. In addition to the above, she is survived by a whole tribe of “greats” and “great-greats” from the Matthews side that she adored. She treasured time with each of them. She is preceded in death by her parents, Hosie & Mary (Moreland) Matthews, her sister, Rosemary (Matthews) Jennison, her brother Ronald Matthews as well as her husband, Tennyson Turner.
A family visitation will be held from 9am - 10:30am, Friday, November 26th, 2021 at Jones Family Mortuary, Mooresville. Graveside services will immediately follow the visitation at 11am at West Newton Cemetery in Indianapolis.
In lieu of flowers, Alice’s family would ask that you consider memorial gifts to Riley Children’s Hospital.
To leave an online condolence or to share a favorite story about Alice please visit www.jonesfamilymortuary.com