Otha Mae Sanders Turnbough

April 20, 2012

Fort Lauderdale, FL Otha Mae Sanders Turnbough, 83, formerly of Big Stone Gap, VA, passed away on April 20, 2012 at University Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She was born in Carrollton, Georgia, to the late Otha Mae Leeper of Pine Hill, Alabama and Lawrence Hall of Carrolton Ga. Otha was raised by her great aunt and Uncle Ben and Della Neal of Appalachia, Virginia. Otha attended high school at Central High School where she was a cheerleader and completed high school with honors. Otha was a gifted vocalist and pianist and was often known throughout her community for her abilities. She was a member of Big Stone Gap Baptist Church and Trinity Methodist Church in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. She was a member of the Eastern Star, Women's Methodists Club, and devoted her time to community service. Most of all she was a devoted Christian Otha was married to Nathaniel Sanders and they were blessed with six children, Bennie Sanders, Nathaniel Sanders Jr. Gracie Sanders (deceased), Johnny Sanders, David Sanders, and Debora Sanders. Otha Mae later married to Morris Turnbough and was blessed to have his three children Morris Irvin Turnbough Jr. (deceased), Carolyn Turnbough, and Wanda Turnbough. Otha leaves to treasure her memories, by her sisters Evelyn Patrick in Atlanta, Ga., Gloria Jean Wilson, Camden, New Jersey, her loving sister-in law Viola Simpson and brother-in-law Ran Simpson in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Otha leaves a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. The memorial service for Otha Mae Sanders Turnbough will be held at the First Baptist Church, 210 Wyandotte Avenue, E., Big Stone Gap, Virginia at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 26, 2012 with The Reverend Sandra Jones officiating. Otha will be laid to rest at Oak View Cemetery in Big Stone Gap Virginia. We are asking everyone to join us for Otha's Homecoming celebration and at a social gathering for family and friends in the Appalachian Room of the Norton Holiday Inn from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 26, 2012. To view the obituary online and sign the registry, please visit www.holdingfuneralhome.com. Holding Funeral Home in Big Stone Gap, VA is honored to serve Mrs. Turnbough's family.