Shirley Hatfield Turner

Shirley H. Turner Shirley Hatfield "Tootie" Turner, 85 years young, peacefully passed away in her sleep at her James Island home on the morning of October 29, 2026. 

Visitation and a celebration of her life will be held at 12:00 and 1:00 PM, respectively, on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at James A. McAlister Funerals & Cremation, 1620 Savannah Highway, followed by a reception at her son's home downtown. 

Shirley was born in Camden, South Carolina, the youngest of Maynard and Estelle Hatfield's two daughters. Throughout her childhood, Shirley made friends easily, brought home every stray dog she could, and discovered Pepsi and Hershey Bars could cure any ailment. As a teenager, she worked at Hat's Grill, owned by her parents, where on July 10, 1955, she met the love of her life, Lewis Turner, as he delivered milk for the diner. They married June 7, 1959. By 1966, they were happily raising four children. 

Throughout her life, Shirley was immensely creative and never hesitated to explore new activities. She excelled in gymnastics as a child and became proficient in drawing, painting, and sculpting in her teens and twenties. Adult interests included tennis, belly dancing, palm reading, Girl Scouts, crafts, pottery, hat design, photography, sewing, gardening, raising koi, and constant redecorating, just to name a few. At one point, after repeatedly dreaming in fluent German, she tried past-life regression hypnosis to discover she was Amish in a previous existence. 

Shirley and Lewis took great pride in raising four self-sufficient, well-rounded children, emphasizing the importance of education and respect of others. The arrival of grandchildren upped the ante. Shirley took the grandkids as toddlers to museums, art exhibits, and other events to expose them to history, beauty, nature, and different cultures. 

As empty nesters, Shirley and Lewis enjoyed diverse travels and were enthusiastic to try new adventures, from nearby mountain trips to helicoptering over Hawaiian volcanoes. They often told their children about the newest places to eat or visit, not vice versa. 

Shirley is survived by daughters Bonnie Jones and Karen Hawkins (Philip); sons William (Manuel) and Michael; granddaughters Courtney Hawkins (Devin) and Bentley Breaux; grandsons Jeremy Jones (Jordan) and Christopher Hawkins; great-granddaughter Hattie Breaux; great-grandson Gabriel Whitt; fur babies Pancho and Lupe; special neighbor and friend Joe Teders (Ann); and many cherished nieces and nephews. Shirley was predeceased by her beloved husband of 62 years, Lewis Turner; parents Maynard and Estelle Hatfield; sister and brother-in-law Carolyn and Gerald Douglas; and son-in-law Joseph Weyers. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Charleston Animal Society, former home of her rescue chihuahuas. Better yet, welcome unconditional love into your life like Shirley often did by giving a pet a forever home.

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365.