Linda Ja Nell (Seagler) Turner, 84, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, passed away on September 10, 2024, in El Paso, Texas.

Ja Nell was born in Littlefield, Texas on October 13, 1939 to Reagan and Essie Seagler. She graduated from Bula High School, received a Bachelor’s degree in teaching Political Science and English from Eastern New Mexico University and a Masters degree in Rhetoric and the Teaching of Writing from New Mexico State University. She taught English, Speech, and Composition in the Las Cruces secondary schools for 26 yrs. After retiring from teaching, Ja Nell worked alongside her husband Terry, sharing in the art and craft of their photography business.

Beyond her professional life, she was a faithful servant to her Lord and Savior, serving in many capacities as a teacher, mentor, and servant. She knew and shared that her greatest achievement is knowing God’s love, accepting the gift of his Son, and then sharing it with others. She gained strength daily by reading God’s word, praying, and serving Him in the places he had designed for her to serve and work.

Ja Nell is preceded in death by her parents Reagan and Essie Seagler, brother Charles Seagler, and brother-in-law Wayne Herrington.

Ja Nell is survived by her husband Terry Turner (married 63 years), son Ron Turner, daughter Kelly Woods and husband Robert, three granddaughters Krystal Nicole Marquez and husband Richard, Rebecca Woods, and Annette Arnold, and three great-granddaughters Sofia Marquez, Isabella Arnold and Aaliyah Arnold. She is also survived by her two sisters, Sandra Herrington, Nelda Lane and husband Royce, sister-in-laws Elaine Seagler and Adrienne Taylor and husband Benny. Other survivors include her nieces and nephews, Tammy and Don Davidson, Todd Herrington, Derek and Lorie Lane, Jennifer and Shane Bownds, JaLisa Lane, Angie and Thaddeus Niestemski, Joe and Shelley Seagler, Alan and Sarah Taylor, Karan Cuomo and many great nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers are Richard Marquez, Aaron Carrasco, Joe Seagler, Don Davidson, Todd Herrington, and Shane Bownds.

Funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church, 4201 N. Sonoma Ranch Blvd., Las Cruces, NM on September 25, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. (Live stream https://fbclascruces.com link under Media), with the burial following the service at Hillcrest Memorial Garden Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her honor to Pure Heart Ministry Church, PO Box 973, White Oak, TX 75693, a ministry dear to her heart that she supported.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of La Paz Graham’s Funeral Home, 555 West Amador, Las Cruces, NM 88005. Funeral home will host viewing prior to funeral service on 09/25/24 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. To sign the online guest book visit www.perchesgrahams.com.
Posted online on September 19, 2024
Published in Las Cruces Sun News