Marietta (Wynn) Dennis Turner, 89, was born September 3, 1928 in Elwood, Kansas to the union of the late Earl Wynn I and Opal M. (Richison) Wynn. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Earl Wynn II, Delores Wynn, Harriet Wallace, Pearly M. Gibson, Joyce Naves and John Richison; children, Lowell III and Adrian M. Minnenhall; and a granddaughter, Jasmine Lee Turner.

Marietta's mother relocated to Kansas City, Missouri with Marietta and two siblings. She attended Sumner Elementary School and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1945. Her picture still hangs in their Hall of Recognition. She loved school and dreamed of becoming an educator.

Marietta married Lowell Dorsey Dennis II in 1947 and to this union five children were born, Lowell III, Adrian Marie, Jacquelyn, Michael Dorsey and Brian Keith.

Marietta worked various jobs to support her family, her first job being a bowling pin setter. She later was employed as an elevator operator for the Jackson County Courthouse along with her best friend and neighbor Sannie Mae Toombs, as a clerk for the Department of Motor Vehicles, Gates BBQ, and retired from the State of Missouri after several years of service. Prior to her retirement she cleaned the old Power & Light Building and the Charles F. Curry Company, where she met Verner Lee Turner, Sr. The two were united in marriage on June 19, 1967 and to their union Verner Jr. was born.

Marietta was baptized at Mariah Walker A.M.E. Church, where she served faithfully as a choir member and willing worker. She answered the call into the ministry and attended Carver Bible College. Along with two of her siblings Pearly Mae and Joyce, and Bishop Scott and Oceola Johnson, they worked together in ministry in the basement of St. Peters Church. On April 4, 1982, Gethsemane Non-Denominational Church was birthed and expanded to become known as "the church on the corner of 27th & Jackson". As the founder and pastor she labored, prayed and fasted for guidance from the Holy Spirit to lead and teach God's people into a greater truth.

As her health began to decline in 2006, Marietta battled hard and long. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior on November 1, 2017 at Promise Hospital. We thank our heavenly Father for the long life and undying love of Pastor Marietta Turner.

She leaves to cherish her memory and legacy: her husband of fifty years, Verner L. Turner, Sr.; children, Jacquelyn Diamond (Ralph), Michael D. Dennis, Brian K. Dennis and Verner L. Turner, Jr. (Sheila Martin); siblings, Dazzarine Mebane, Valadeane Roland, Geraldine Anderson, George Richison, Ella McBride (William) and Daniel Richison (Sharon); fifteen grandchildren, twenty-six great grandchildren, one great-great grandson and a glorious host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.