Lavinia T. Turner of Goose Creek, South Carolina, passed away at age 78 on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. 

Born on December 27, 1947 in Vernon, Florida, Lavinia was a daughter of the late Essie Duncan Toole and Woodrow Toole. 

Lavinia attended Belmont University where she received a Bachelor Degree in Education with a minor in Seminary Studies. She received a Masters Degree from the Citadel in Early Childhood Education and a Masters Degree from Charleston Southern University in Special Needs Education. She earned an Educational Doctorate from the University of South Carolina in Columbia. She was a teacher at Westview Elementary School, and an Administrator at Westview Middle School.

Lavinia was a member of Peace Presbyterian Church and sang alto in the choir. She was also a Sunday School teacher.

Lavinia is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Claude Turner. 

Lavinia is survived by her son, James Turner (Kerry), and daughter, April Turner (Karl); brother, Preston Toole; sisters: Kathlee Beam and Jean Revels; and grandchildren: Maya and Caleb.

The memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Peace Presbyterian Church, 174 Londonderry Road in Goose Creek, South Carolina. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Peace Presbyterian Church. 

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 869 ST. James Avenue, Goose Creek, SC 29445, (843) 553-1511.