Carla Kim Turnage

Carla Turnage, 69 of Glen Allen Virginia, was a remarkable human being. Blessed with a sharp intellect, a radiant personality, and a heart filled with grace and compassion, Carla lived a substantively meaningful life, leaving a legacy of service to family and friends. As the child of a father who was in the military, Carla experienced the wonders of living in multiple states and receiving educational instruction through several school systems. These experiences deepened her appreciation for diverse cultures, while influencing her attitudes of tolerance and respect for other people – attributes that she would carry through her entire life. Carla graduated from Hayfield High School in 1975 in Alexandria, Virginia. Upon her family’s decision to return to Greensboro North Carolina, Carla enrolled in the historically black college of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University where she would earn an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling, while meeting the man who would one day become her husband, Wayne Turnage. One year after completing her master’s degree, Carla moved to New York City where she started a career as a substance abuse counselor at the famed Harlem Addiction and Treatment Center, while also becoming engaged to and then marrying Wayne. Carla’s career choice reflected her desire to help her clients – especially young women with children – free themselves from the life destroying addictions with which they struggled. As she and her husband moved from New York to Maryland, then Richmond Virginia, and finally her last place of employment, the District of Columbia, Carla furthered her career as an addiction treatment counselor, eventually becoming the director of several residential programs for people who were in recovery. Notwithstanding her exceptional career, Carla’s passion was raising her two children. Her love for Marcus and Kimberly was unconditionally deep and absolute. She believed strongly that the good that parents do for their children is never wasted. And if as a parent, you fail to properly nurture your children and subsequently lead them down the path of perdition, whatever else you happen to accomplish in life is without meaning. This sharp focus on properly raising her children, and her intrinsic attributes of kindness, a joyful spirit, and a servant heart defined her wonderful life and her quantum value as a human being. Carla is preceded in death by her parents, Loretta and Master Gunnery Sergent Robert Lee Jones. She leaves cherished memories to her loving husband, Wayne Turnage; daughter, Kimberly Turnage-Garland (Derrick), son, Marcus Turnage; sisters, Lorie Baker and Robin Montgomery; brother Robert “Todd” Jones, Jr.; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Turnage, Connie Turnage and Melissa Johnson (Larry, Jr.); nephews, Darrell Turnage, Jordan Turnage, Larry Johnson III, and Tyler Montgomery; devoted aunt, Deborah Mitchell (James), beloved cousins, Regina Duren and Earlene Wright (Julius); and a host of other relatives and friends. Carla’s funeral service will occur on Friday May 15th at 11am in Saint Paul’s Baptist Church, 4247 Creighton Road, Richmond Virginia. The repast will immediately follow in the Church dining hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending online donations in memory of Carla Turnage to the Dementia Society of America (www.DementiaSociety.org/donate), or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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Carla Kim Turnage

January 10, 1957 - May 2, 2026