Chris Turlington
Chris Turlington died April 14, 2009 at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck NJ. He was born on May 26, 1933 to the late
Willie Dancy Turlington and Lillian Burden Turlington in Robeson County, Clinton, North Carolina. Chris attended
the public schools in Clinton, NC. At a young age he joined the Lisbon Street Baptist Church in Clinton, NC. He
later moved to Philadelphia were he took up the trade of heavy equipment operation. He later moved to Englewood,
New Jersey where he worked as a Baker and a Barber by trade. In 1977 he married Ruth Belle. Chris was employed
as a barber at Chris’ Barbershop for several years, Life Cleaners in Fort Lee for over 14 years and Bergen Valet
Cleaners in Bergenfield NJ. He served in the United States Army. While in the army he served in the Korean War
where he received three medals. He was a member of the Sampson High School Alumni Association. Chris joined the
Friendship Baptist Church of Paterson, New Jersey in February 1998 under the leadership of Rev. Fred M Belle. He
was a faithful member until his illness and he served as a Trustee in the church. Chris was known for his sharp
dressing style, cooking and sense of humor. Chris enjoyed fishing with his buddy, Joe McFadden and his nieces and
nephews.
Chris departed this life on April 14, 2009. He was preceded in death by his father-Willie Dancy, his mother - Lillian
Turlington, a brother-Dancy Turlington and a sister-in-law Alice Devane Turlington, and a sister-Alice Williams.
Chris leaves to mourn: a devoted wife - Nanny Ruth Belle Turlington; one son - Victor Oates of Hackensack, NJ;
two stepsons-Willie Waiters (Karen) of Bogota, NJ and Larry Waiters (Taffy) of West Nyack, NY; two grandsons-Maurice
Oates of PA; Terrel Victor Cooper of NY; Three great-grandchildren- Tia Wask, Kiara Wask, and Jasmyne Cianci; a
mother in law- Viola Belle of Teaneck, NJ; one sister in law-Magnolia Jones (Cliff) of Englewood NJ; seven brother
in laws – Willie Belle (Mildred) of Englewood, NJ, Judge Belle (Lois) of Tyrone GA, Rev. Fred Belle (Charlie) of
Prattville, AL, Wesley Belle(Sara), Curtis Belle (Rose) and Floyd Belle all of Teaneck, NJ, and George Williams
of Long Island, New York; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins & friends.
[Sampson Independent, Fayetteville Observer; Submitted By Anita Turlington]
