Remembrances of Aunt Ja

Linda Ja Nell Turner, our Aunt Ja, was loved by so many. Her family was incredibly dear to her.

Aunt Ja had two little sisters.
 
Her sister Sandra, the one next in line after Ja, shares:
As I think about Ja Nell the memories of our lives growing up are full of laughter and happiness which I will hold in my heart from now on. Mother had a full-time job trying to keep peace between us and she would usually win whether we wanted it or not. We’ve always lived far apart in our later years, but we have always stayed close in touch. Nelda and I have talked and laughed about funny stories the last few days and memories of Ja Nell will always be part of our lives.

Nelda, Ja Nell’s baby sister, shares:
Ja Nell was the oldest of us 3 girls in the family. She never let us forget that the oldest is the boss and yes she did boss us. On Sunday mornings our mother was always trying to get us dressed for church and of course running behind. I dreaded to hear these words. Ja Nell will you fix Nelda’s hair? I knew that I was not going to have a good day. She didn’t want to fix my hair, it was obvious as she would hit the top of my head with a rat-tail and of course my hair would look pitiful going to church. I learned at an early age to fix my own hair. I always looked up to Ja Nell and always knew that I had unconditional love from her. After she became involved in A Walk To Emmaus, she sent me on a walk and I will be eternally grateful for that. My life has been so blessed to be able to call her my sister.

Aunt Ja loved her nieces and nephews very much. When asked to share about our Aunt Ja, several of my cousins responded.

Tammy, one of Aunt Ja’s treasures, shared:
Aunt JaJa was very special to me as she was to so many that knew her. She was a wonderful mentor to me my whole life and a godly example who always was loving and encouraging to me. I am forever grateful for her investment in my life and also for her generous heart for serving others. 

We have many memories of good times we shared over the years. We always looked forward to our visits and family gatherings. My kids remember she would buy prizes for them when she came to visit and she would hide them all around the house—they would have to search for them. She would guide them by saying that they were either “hot” or “cold”. When they were far away she would say they were “ice cold” and as they got closer she would say, “Your on fire!” She was so much fun!!! 

She generously invested in her family and friends. One thing that is for sure and certain…we always had a great time when we were with her. As you know she laughed and cut up a lot and YES she was LOUD sometimes—especially when she was with her brother and her two sisters!!!!

I praise God for my Aunt JaJa! Thank YOU, LORD for the time we had with her—here on earth. 
For those who knew and loved JaJa, they also knew that she never liked to say GOOD BYE…. —So we won’t say it either. She wouldn’t want us to. We know that she is with Jesus and our Heavenly Father and also with her family and loved ones—-and we will all look forward to seeing her again one day! 

We love you JaJa! 
And we WILL see you soon! 
All glory to God!

Jennifer, one of Aunt Ja’s beloved nieces, shared:

effort to be a part of their lives. It was important to her that we carry on the same family traditions that I grew up with. She introduced my kids to family traditions and games that remain in our family today. Thank goodness the permanent tradition did get dropped. Aunt Ja loved family but she also loved the Lord. Her knowledge of the Bible was admirable. She was often slow to speak but when she did I knew to listen and grew from her wisdom. During my college days, I watched my mom and her siblings care for MeeMaw. I can remember Aunt Ja saying numerous times how she prayed often she would not end up restricted to a bed and totally dependent on someone to care for her. God answered that prayer for her and for that we are grateful. Our family will have a void without Aunt Ja, but we know she is with her Savior, and we look forward to reuniting with her one day.

JaLisa, Jennifer’s sister who wished she could be here today, shared: When I think of Aunt Ja I think about what a calming spirit that she portrayed. I never saw her upset and she would speak in a very soft tone with quiet laughter. She loved to share stories of growing up in Enochs and the joy she had with her childhood friends. She loved her family and Jesus and that was evident in everything that she did. You could always count on her having a glass of water wrapped in a paper towel with her at all times and a good sports story to share about the Cowboys or the New Mexico State Aggies. She also would share family history with the grandkids and tell stories on MeeMaw and PeePaw they would never want to be shared. I can imagine her smile and laughter when she met MeeMaw, PeePaw, her grandparents, multiple other family and friends and her favorite brother Charlie in heaven. She will be missed but we will see her again.

Landon, one of Aunt Ja’s great nephews shared: I remember Aunt Ja would come to my games and I would always feel a love and a comfort from her when she was around and I always looked forward to seeing her again.

McKinley, Landon’s sister, shared: Aunt Ja was one of the foundational women who helped create me into the woman I am today. Every time she would be around me, she would remind me of how beautiful I am. That boosted my view of myself 1000%. I remember listening to all her teacher stories, great wisdom, and laugh! Aunt Ja is one of the women in our family that made me want to become a teacher. Thank you, Aunt Ja, for your sweet memories, words, and hands that helped shape me into the woman I am today. I love you and am a little jealous that you get to sit with our Savior right now. I can’t wait to hang out with Jesus together one day!
My brother Joe wanted to share one of his favorite memories of Aunt Ja:
When I was a not so responsible 20-year-old I was asked to pick up Aunt J from the Lubbock airport on a weekday morning.  Evidently no one took in account my grueling academic schedule at South Plains Jr. College, and just assumed I could make it work. This was before cell phones so I got my instructions a week in advance, second hand, from my mother that I was supposed to meet Aunt J at 10am at the baggage carousel.
Fast forward a week later and Aunt J safely arrived on time, picks up her luggage at the baggage carousel and patiently awaits her nephew’s arrival. After several minutes of waiting, she slowly realizes that her fear had come true. She was stranded. I remember getting a call from my mother that I was supposed to be at the airport. I get in my car and make it to the airport a good hour after I was supposed to be there.
I make it to the baggage carousel and see my aunt decked out in her finest travel attire. Remember this was the 90s when a middle-aged woman wasn’t afraid to make a fashion statement. And believe me, this outfit made a statement. It said I can conjugate a verb and I can also party if someone slips up and plays some Oak Ridge Boys. She was covered from head to toe in denim. A flowing prairie skirt and matching vest that depicts a celestial scene recreated with decorative BB’s. The ensemble was complete with a nice neckerchief that offers just a splash of color but not too much to detract from the denim and bbs.
As she continued her search for me, I walk up behind her undetected and whisper in her ear. “Madam, your spectacles are so thick, I believe I can see the future.” She doesn’t flinch. She just chuckles, shakes her head, and turns to give me a hug.

But she never got angry or yelled at me. Instead she just chuckled, shook her head and gave me a hug. And in that gesture she displayed forgiveness and redemption. You screwed up, but I still love you. Do better.
My Dad Charlie, Aunt Ja’s big and only brother, used to call Ja Nell his sophisticated and dignified sister. She was definitely the most reserved of the four kids. They used to try and embarrass her in dressing rooms and anywhere else they could. Many of their best sibling stories were centered on their Ja Nell targeted antics.

We lived in El Paso for three years and had the chance to see the Turners often.  It was always a treat to spend time with Aunt Ja. She taught me how to do calligraphy, how to sew, and how to use my eyes and pursed lips to communicate what probably shouldn’t be said out loud.

We shared a love for theatre, literature, and writing. One of my favorite conversations was when she was cast in the community production of The Diary of Anne Frank. I loved hearing her stories about teaching and learned much about writing which was her expertise. As an English teacher, I bring her with me into my classroom and my students and I are richer for it.

Aunt Ja shared her love of literature and writing with literally thousands of students throughout the years. As she contemplated the end of her teaching career, she shared the following with her peers.

After weighing the following options: what I care not to do anymore. What I want to do with the rest of my life, and the fact that I will soon complete 26 plus years of teaching—I’m retiring as a full-time teacher at LCHS as of May 27, 1994.
I have adopted this poem as my theme as I make this decision. My life as a teacher has not been an empty dream (or nightmare). It has been real and I’ve tried to be earnest in the task for which I was placed on earth to do. I truly have enjoyed most of it. Many of you have been a part of that enjoyment.
I’ve tried to leave footprints in the sands these many years- Footprints which will be a path to the lives of many young people, so that they can take heart and enjoy life as fully as I do.
So now it’s time for me to take heart and be up doing, pursuing, laboring, and achieving in the next phase of my life. I move on with excitement for the future and some sadness in leaving the involvement and the people I enjoy each day at LCHS.

LINDA JA NELL TURNER’s Poem

MY PSALM OF LIFE (an adaptation of Longfellow’s poem)
Tell me not, in mournfuI verses
Life is but an empty hole
No- life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow
Is our destined end or way
But to act, that each tomorrow
Find us and others farther than today.
In the world’s broad field of battle
In the bivouac of life
Be not like dumb driven cattle
Be a difference in the strife.
Lives of many all remind us
We can make our lives sublime
And, departing leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.
Footprints, that perhaps another
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main
A forlorn and shipwrecked sister or brother

Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then be up and doing
With heart for any fate
Still achieving, still pursuing
Learn to labor and to wait.

Aunt Ja continued living out her calling as a teacher in many different ways. She taught us about deep faith, the importance of sharing the gospel both at home and internationally by serving as a short-term missionary. She taught us all how to face difficulties, disappointments, illness, and pain with grace, dignity, and unshakable faith in our Father God.
Today, we are left with a challenge to take up the legacy Linda Ja Nell Turner leaves with us as she is now gathered as one of the members of the great cloud of witnesses, rooting us all on as we continue running the race.

May we live as she did,
leaving behind footprints on the sands of time,  
Let us, then be up and doing with a heart for any fate
Still achieving, still pursuing
Learn to labor and to wait.

We love you Aunt Ja. Until we meet again, may the arms that hold both you and all of us bring us hope, comfort, and peace until we are all back together again.

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