Obituary of Hampton T. Turner

LEXINGTON— Mr. Turner went to be with Jesus on Saturday, April 5, 2014. His family will receive friends on Monday, April 7, 2014 from 6-8 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home, 4720 Augusta Rd., Lexington, SC 29073. The celebration of his life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at St. David Lutheran Church, 132 St. David's Church Rd., West Columbia, SC 29170. Pastor James Laurence and Pastor Ollie Olawsky will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Rudy Areheart, Bobby Mahaffey, Scott Moore, Jason Scott, Kevin Scott and Wm. "Bill" Warriner. Honorary pallbearers will be the NAPA Employees, St. David Men's Prayer Group and the Young at Heart Members. Uncle Talbert, Jr., Mr. "T", "Little Talbert", as he was known by his family and friends was born August 6, 1925 in Florence, SC to the late Henry T. and Marie T. Turner. He was predeceased by the one true love of his life, Sarah E. Areheart Turner and one daughter, Sarah Marie Turner. He is survived by his one and only loving sister, Peggy Ann Turner of Lexington, and one dear cousin (who was just like a sister to him), Imogene Turner of Florence, SC. Uncle Talbert was a very special, unique man. During his 88 years on this earth, he "adopted" several godchildren. He loved his nieces and nephews and they loved him. After Aunt Sarah passed in August 2011, Shelby King, niece, began taking care of him. Jean Scott, niece, and Shelby took Uncle Talbert wherever he wanted to go, did whatever he wanted to do, whenever he wanted to do it. Randy "Butch" Ganey, nephew, helped Uncle Talbert keep his antique cars running and was always there whenever something in and around his home or his cars needed repair. He loved his brothers- and sisters-in-law. He was the one everybody went to for advice and was always willing to help. He was a father to many. Uncle Talbert was an entrepreneur. At the age of seven he began selling peanuts on the corner streets in Florence, SC. He also delivered newspapers on the bike he purchased from the profits of his peanut sales. It didn't matter what kind of whether, rain, sleet, or snow, he did his job. Everyone in Florence knew "Little" Talbert because his Granddad Ellie, was the town sheriff; so no one messed with "Little" Talbert. He always told the story that he grew up in jail, which he did because he and his family lived on the top floor of the town jail where his "Aunt" Jeannie, an inmate took care of him. "Little" Talbert also worked at the corner drugstore in Florence as a soda jerk and manager. He knew all the customers and what kind of milkshakes each liked. He knew when to put extra cherries on their straws! Talbert's family moved to Columbia in 1941, but he stayed in Florence with an aunt and uncle to finish high school. He then came to Columbia by bus. He didn't know exactly where his family lived, he just knew they lived somewhere off Broad River Road and had never been to Columbia before. Not knowing exactly where he was, he got off the bus at the Veterans Hospital (a well-known landmark to him). He didn't have any more money to catch another bus; so he walked to his parent's home on Broad River Road. He said it was really a long walk! In Columbia, he worked at the Varsity Grill and Market Restaurant. In between the two jobs, he wouldn't go home because it was too far, so he would go to a movie and then go to back his second job at night. In 1945, he met and married the love of his life, Sarah Ethel Areheart. They had a wonderful, happy 66 years together. Uncle Talbert grew up around auto repair shops where his father and all his uncles were master mechanics. His father was especially savvy about cars. If anything was broken on a vehicle, he could fix it. He also worked at Reeley's Garage where he learned about all cars' parts. He then went to work with Southern Railroad as a machinist. They wanted him to slow down, but he believed in putting in a full day's work for a full day's pay; so, he quit and went to work for Standard Parts Co/NAPA until he was drafted in 1951 into the Army. He served with the 2nd Infantry during the Korean War from January 1952 until November 1953. After the war, he went back to work for NAPA for 14 years. He was one of their top salesmen and gained the respect of the home office management in Atlanta. Because of his work ethics and dedication to NAPA, he was asked to go out west to open a NAPA store. He opened his first store in Roswell, New Mexico in the early 1960's and lived in Roswell for 32 years. During that time, he also opened four other NAPA stores. He worked with NAPA for a total of 46 years. When he moved back home to Lexington he continued to stay in touch with the many friends he had made in New Mexico. Hampton was a Master Mason. He was a life-long member of Sinclair Lodge No. 154 in West Columbia, SC for 57 years. He also was an active member of the Scottish Rite and the American Legion Post 90 in South Congaree, SC. He also was a Shriner. Hampton was a member of St. David Lutheran Church in West Columbia, SC. He was very active in St. David Lutheran Men in Mission, the Men's Prayer Breakfasts, the Young at Heart Senior Travelers and the Senior Sunday School Class. He served on the churches' evangelism and visitation committees. He loved his Lord and his church family. During the past six months, Uncle Talbert's health declined, but he never complained about pain. He said many times that he had had a wonderful life and that God had been good to him. Uncle Talbert was so special. He told many, many funny stories about his childhood, his experiences while in the Korean War and the knowledge he gained from each of his jobs that helped him grow to become the honest man, loving husband, friend, confidant he was. He never met a stranger, worked hard all of his life, and was respected by everyone he came into contact with. He has left a hole in the hearts of many and will be greatly missed. We want to thank the nursing staff at Lexington Medical Center who cared for him during his last days. We want to especially thank Drs. Robert Amory, Steve Madden, and Henry "Hank" Martin. They were not only his doctors, but his friend for many years. We also want to thank those at Agape Senior in Lexington for the care he received during his six-month stay. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, PO Box 758532, Topeka, KS 66675-9910 or to St. David Lutheran Church, 132 St. David's Church Rd., West Columbia, SC 29170.