Captain Robert Turner was born in Columbus, Georgia. He is the third of six siblings, which includes three sisters and three brothers. His childhood and formative years were spent in two-state areas of Georgia and Alabama .
A devout Christian, Robert was reared in the Church of God In Christ; however, he later converted to the African Methodist Episcopal Church. His church affiliations were the Greeters; Sons of Allen and the Stewart Young Male Chorus.
Robert received the Bachelor of Arts degree from Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama, where he was inducted into Alpha Chi Honor Society and also pledged into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was active in Talladega’s Student Government and served as Student Representative to the Academic Review Board.
He received the Master of Public Administration Degree from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton, Florida, were he was the Student Government Ombudsman.
Career wise, Robert served as Assistant Dean of Students and Coordinator of the Compact Program at Florida Memorial University. He was active in local government and serve as Staff Coordinator for Mayor Roscoe Warren, Homestead Florida.
He met the love of his life, a registered nurse named Esther, while he was a planner for the City of Miami and enjoyed a caring and wonderful life.
His government service began as an Emergency Planner for the Miami Police Department. He remained with the City of Miami and later joined the Miami Fire Department where a served a Firefighter, Fire Lieutenant and Captain. After 29 years of governmental service, Captain Turner retired.
Relatives:
Family left to cherish his memories are his loving Spouse Esther Turner: Mother & Father, Benjamin and Mary Smith: Brothers: Gerald Turner(Doris), Victor (Gilda), Michael Turner: Benjamin Smith Jr.(Julia); Brother-in-law: Reginald McGill (Deborah); Sister-in-law: Annie Wheeler; Best Friends: Roscoe Warren and James Kemp; Sisters, Tracy Williams (Billy); Sonja Haywood; Son: Jeylon Williams; Nephews: Wilfred Graves (Malaika);Marc Turner(Aya); Gerald Turner Jr.; Brandon Haywood; Benjamin Smith III; Julian Smith; Derrick Smith; Keven Godfrey; Tryus Wheeler; Timothy Wheeler; Nieces: Tylisha Wheeler; Carmel Henry; Alexzandria Smith; Danielle McGill; Ashley Postell; Lelia Joseph; Tamiko(Von) Jones; Vernellton Joseph; Uncles: Kevin Turner & family; Joe Turner & family; Johnell Linton; Winston McGill: God Son; Danny Linton and Danny Linton III; Great Nephews: Jeremiah Turner; Jaylen Turner; Juliana Johnson; Julius Johnson; Landon Preston; Bryce Smith; Benjamin Smith lV; Derrick Smith.; and a host of other relatives and friends.