Mark Clifton Turner (affectionately known as “Mutt” to family and friends) was born on December 11, 1952, the third of H. T. and Stella Mae Turner’s five children. An older brother Johnny, his youngest sister Tina, and his father and mother preceded him in death. After his mother died at an early age, Mark and his three sisters moved to Point and were raised by their paternal grandmother, Maud Turner.
Mark was educated first at Richland (a Rosenwald school) in Point, and then at Rains High after schools in the County were integrated in the late 1960s. After high school, Mark worked briefly at the Lee Jeans factory in Sulphur Springs.
In the late 70s/early 80s, Mark completed a course of studies in the then-pioneering field of digital telephone switching and business telephone systems. Thereafter he worked for Northern Telecom, rising quickly through the ranks from installer to regional management. At Northern Telecom, Mark’s hard work and impeccable work ethic earned him numerous performance awards including the company’s Circle of Excellence Award twice. After Northern Telecom, he continued using his management skills at Dallas-based All Temps 1 Personnel.
The hallmarks of Mark’s life throughout his life were his quiet demeanor, ever-present empathy, and unwavering generous nature. Those who benefitted from his nonjudgmental generosity are far too numerous to recount here.
Mark departed this physical plane on January 6, 2026. Left to celebrate his life with the hope of a joyful reunion with him one day are his two daughters – Kim Turner (Dallas, TX) and Shawna Turner (Garland, TX); three grandchildren – Waylon, Caden and Kai; six great-grandchildren – Nyemiah, Aarielle, Waylon, Jr., Wayanna, Way Quan, and Aleyiah; two sisters – Linda Hayes (San Diego, CA) and Maebeth Turner (Emory, TX), as well as legions of cousins and dear friends, many of whom he grew up and maintained contact with his entire life.
Visitation/Viewing will take place on Friday, January 16, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Cozine and Tarver Funeral Home, 1608 King Street in Greenville. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Bull Creek Cowboy Church, 9591 West Highway 69 in Lone Oak. Interment will follow at Benton Hill Cemetery in Point.