Romelle Futch Turk

Romelle Elaine (Futch) Turk, age 75, entered into the presence of Jesus Christ on Thursday, July 6, 2017 in Macon, Bibb Co., GA, where she resided for over 50 years. Romelle was born on Nov. 2, 1941 in Rochelle, Wilcox Co., GA to the late Reuben Amory Futch, Sr. and Anna Marie (Gibbs) Futch. Her grandparents were Henry & Maude (Stanley) Gibbs and Thomas & Tommie (Means) Futch. Romelle graduated from Wilcox Central High School in 1960 with the highest G.P.A. in her class, attended Middle Georgia College (1960-61), and graduated in 1963 from the Women’s College of Georgia (now Georgia College) with a major in business education and a B.S. in Business Administration. She taught business courses at Dougherty County High School in Albany and at Hallie Turner Private School, Miller High School for Girls, and Crandall Junior College in Macon. She spent the latter part of her working years as a seasonal tax preparer for H & R Block and for Tom Freeman, CPA. But, she always considered her primary occupation to be wife and mother.  Romelle met her future husband, Emil Evans Turk, when she attended three years at Pitts High School in Wilcox Co., although she said she couldn’t remember when she didn’t love him. Emil & Romelle married June 2, 1963 at Rochelle First Baptist Church. They had two daughters, Susan Michelle and Elaine Marie. Romelle said “being a mother was a dream come true.” She loved reading to them, sewing their clothes, and just spending time together. After her daughters married and had children, Romelle delighted in spoiling her six grandchildren, and said, “When my grandchildren remember me, I hope they will know that I loved reading to them. Most of all I want them to know how much I enjoyed and prayed for them.”  In addition to sewing, Romelle had many other interests, including gardening, walking, traveling (especially to the beach and to see her grandchildren), nature, history, piano, church activities, and Bible study. Romelle attended Bible Study Fellowship International (BSF) for about 20 years and served as a discussion leader much of that time. She became a Christian when she was 10 years old and joined Rochelle First Baptist Church. After moving to Macon, she was a member of Wesleyan Drive Baptist Church, where she was in the Disciples Sunday School class and was director of the Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) for many years. She also enjoyed being a member of a sewing circle and the Colaparchee Garden Club.  Romelle was a faithful follower of Christ and a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She will be remembered with love and admiration by her husband of 54 years, Emil E. Turk of Macon; two daughters, Susan (Alan) Smith of Savannah and Elaine (Bill) Nell of Clemmons, NC; six grandchildren, Harrison Smith of NY, Emily, Matthew, and William Smith, all of Savannah, and Lydia and Carol Nell of Clemmons, NC; and one brother, R. A. Futch, Jr. of Rochelle.  The service will be held on Monday, July 10, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Wesleyan Drive Baptist Church, with Rev. Mike Gibbs officiating. The family will greet friends at the church at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Morningside Cemetery in Rochelle.  Anyone wishing to honor Romelle with memorials may send them to BSF International (19001 Heubner Rd., San Antonio, TX 78258) or online at: www.bsfinternational.org, or to Wesleyan Drive Baptist Church (939 Wesleyan Dr., Macon, GA 31210). Arrangements are by Monroe County Memorial Chapel, Forsyth, and Frazier Funeral Home, Rochelle.         .