Mattie Luegene Turner

Mattie Lugene Turner beloved mother, sister, aunt and friend, was born on December 11, 1949 in Baltimore, MD. She was the third born of six children to Mattie Bell Turner and Lee Andrew Turner. Mattie was educated in her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland where she graduated Valedictorian from Western Preparatory High School. Mattie attended the University of Maryland and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Morgan State University. She was employed by the state of Maryland as an Assistant Director. As Director of the CETA program (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act), Mattie was able to assist welfare mothers, low income, and the long-term unemployed with marketable skills in order to obtain jobs. In her leadership roles, Mattie gained the respect of all she worked with due to her strong work ethics and visions.  She lobbied in Congress for better jobs and housing for the poor. She received many awards and accolades for her varied accomplishments and contributions to the community.

She was a brilliant woman that excelled intellectually, which was matched by her street smarts.  She chose carefully when and how she would speak, and was well known for her sharp wit. Mattie was an entrepreneur; she purchased and managed several properties in Baltimore. During the course of her life, she was married three times. Gregory Miller, the son of Gregory Livingston and Mattie, was born on July 5, 1966.

Mattie enjoyed watching television; crime and mysteries were her favorites and the music from the movie the Bodyguard was often heard coming from her room. She was an avid reader, loved to party, loved to travel.  In 1965, she joined The Kits sorority. Mattie developed lifelong friendships with The Kits; these ladies shared over 40 years of memories. During the latter part of Mattie’s life in 2003 she developed major illness with serious complications; she relocated to California. Even when Mattie took ill, her sorority sisters never let a birthday, a holiday, or a just because moment go by without a phone call or a card. Mattie also developed very special bonds with the women whom supported her daily at home. She loved getting her hair and nails done, taking walks around the neighborhood, sneaking food to the dog, and laughing as her grandnephew and grandniece got into mischief. Called to rest after a lengthy illness, Mattie made her final transition from this life at home in Harbor City, CA with family on January 18, 2016.

She is survived by her only cherished son Gregory Miller, grandson Kaleb Miller; one dear sister Karen (Arthur) and beloved brothers John (Denise) and David; nieces Teressa, Toria, Tiffiny Turner and nephews Arthur and Christopher Gray; grandnephew Amari Gray (Lani) and grandniece August Oliver (Nathan); sister in law Maxine Turner; one uncle, Moses Nelson; one aunt Lillian Nelson; and a host of other relatives and pet Tiny. She was preceded in death by two brothers Horace Blake and George Turner. Her parents Mattie Bell Turner and Lee Turner (Baltimore, MD) also preceded her in death.