Opal Lee Massengill Turner

Opal Lee Massengill Turner, born March 2, 1929, in Harlan County, KY passed away October 23, 2026, in Knoxville, TN. She was always a very hard-working and honest woman; she always wanted to do the right thing regardless of the circumstances. Opal had many trades throughout the years, mostly doing something to help others, always. She loved her family more than anything else and always thought of everyone else before herself. Everyone that came to see her always left with something.

She loved to make things for family and friends, flowers, gardening, canning, quilting, sewing, thrifting, and shopping as long as she was able to. She always loved the Lord, watched her preachers, and read her Bible until she couldn’t see or hear well enough. She was always looking for her husband, even after he was gone to see Jesus, especially in the last years of her life. She thought he was still living; she wanted to make sure he ate and had clean clothes to wear.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, John David Turner; sons David (Janet), Jerry, and Kenneth Turner; 4 other babies at birth or soon after; parents Calvin Massengill and Minnie Collins; brother Amos Massengill (Lucille); sister Wilma Byrd; sons-in-law Larry Taylor, Mack Cook, and Elvin Helton; special uncles Sherman and Grant Collins; and other special in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, cousins, and friends.

She is survived by daughters Kathy Helton, Connie Cook, Minnie Johnson (Ricky), and Joyce Taylor; daughter-in-law Sandra Turner; loving kitty Tigger; 14 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, and 20 great-great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at Mynatt Funeral Home, Fountain City Chapel, followed by a service a service at 7:00 p.m. Pastor Jason Dyer officiating.

The family will meet at Mynatt Funeral Home, Fountain City Chapel on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. to go in procession to Greenwood Cemetery for a 1:00 p.m. graveside service. 

Online condolences can be left for the family at mynattfh.com 

Mynatt Funeral Home, Fountain City Chapel is honored to serve the family of Opal Lee Massengill Turner.