Obituary

Becky Hill Turley, 92, passed away on Saturday January 25, 2025 after a short illness.

She lived most of her life in Charleston, WV.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, first husband Frank Pauley, second husband, Murhl C. Turley, and recently her son, Jon Pauley.

Becky was a dear and loving mother to four children and three stepchildren. She had a quiet power and was an inspiration to all that knew her. She courageously raised her four children after the premature death of her first husband. A member of the Baptist Temple for over 75 years, she enjoyed her friendships and singing in the choir. There she met her second husband, Murhl Turley and promptly acquired three stepchildren that she continued to think of as her own. Together, she and Murhl adopted a Belgian Sheepdog, Ketje, that was almost like another child.

She was generous with her talents that included flower arranging, honing her skills while working at Young Floral Company. She enjoyed music, good food, traveling, gardening, doll making, and documenting major family events with photographs. She was a gifted visual artist. For many years, using her creative and artistic talents, she and Murhl designed, painted, and constructed sets for the Charleston Ballet. She also designed costumes, headpieces, and props for the dancers, first under Andre Van Damme and then under K. R. Pauley. She continued working in the office and backstage at the ballet until the Covid years.

Becky was always there for all of her children and stepchildren. Traveling great distances to assist with weddings, adoptions, decorating a Bed and Breakfast, and graduations.

She had a childlike curiosity about her, engaging her two sons and their interests in plants, insects, and menagerie of animals and pets. Both followed a path of the sciences and nature. She was very proud to have gone camping with them to the Cranberry Glades at age 89.

Known by many names to her grandchildren: Grandma Becky, Gram and G Ma, she is remembered for making the most mundane moment into something magical. They thought of spending time with her as an adventure. She was always sending “care packages” to family members that lived out of town, using a lot of tape! Her warm presence, elegant cursive writing, and passion for the arts did not go unnoticed. Her love and knowledge of the arts was infectious and played a huge influence on their life’s path into the arts.

Her voice was always one of reason and understanding. She did not judge or interfere in her children’s lives. Hers was a way of acceptance and love, reminding us that life is short and love is forever. She will be remembered when we see bluebirds and flowers in the spring, a beautiful shell on the beach, or smell the aroma of homemade biscuits.

Left to mourn her passing and cherish her memory are brother Fr. Olaf Scott (Eva), children: Kim R. Pauley, Sandra Jalernpan (Dang), Eric Pauley (Susan), John Turley (Margie), Glenn Turley (Guizhi) Sandy Van Olden, grandchildren: Becki Santiago (Brandon), Ryan Jalernpan (Maris) Raja Jalernpan (Mia), Annie Corcoran (Ryan), Lee Turley, Erin Brown (Darren), Landia Turley, Zach Turley (Bethany), Nathan Turley, 6 great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on February 25, 2025, at Baptist Temple, Charleston.

Visitation will begin one hour prior at the church. Friends are invited to visit with the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Becky’s honor to the Charleston Baptist Temple Music Program at 209 Morris Street, Charleston, WV 25301 and the Charleston Ballet at 100 Capitol Street, Suite 302, Charleston, WV 25301.

Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, WV, has been entrusted with the arrangements.