Raymond Matthew Turner III

Raymond Matthew Turner III (Ray) was born in Lewes, Delaware on September 19, 1976 to the proud parents of Raymond Turner Jr. and Ada Harris. On Friday, August 21, 2020, Ray’s fight was over. He died at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Maryland. His early life began in Delaware until he was about three when he moved to Maryland. It was here in Maryland, that he began spending a lot of time with his Aunt Mary (Sug). He would also spend time with the late Milton (PeeWee). Also, at a young age, he was diagnosed with Sickle Cell. This was a fight that he fought courageously. He was educated in the public schools in Somerset County, Maryland. Due to his health, Ray was unable to maintain employment. However, he did work as a teenager with the late Milton (PeeWee) at Collins Barbershop. Ray was responsible for sweeping the floor, dumping the trash, etc. However, PeeWee was the one paying Ray, but he was also the one sweeping and dumping the trash. While PeeWee was working, Ray was talking with the customers. Little did we realize talking was going to become a major part of his life. Because of his Sickle Cell, Ray spent a lot of time at the hospital. There are many people who were part of this process; whether it was with a visit, telephone call or Ray saying, “drop me off to the hospital.” Though many people were a taxi for Ray, Kiara (Boogie) was his personal taxi; morning, daytime or late night. Anyone who visited Ray, most likely were introduced to his hospital family. Ray had special relationships with so many people. Though he did not have children of his own, he especially loved Cynhsir and Jaihaud, the bond with his nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. For example, there were the cousins that he did group chats with on Face Time. There was a cousin who would visit him early in the morning when he was in the hospital. There are many people with fond memories of Ray. Ray did not let his battle with Sickle Cell stop him. He often encouraged other people, whether it was about sickness or life experiences. Because of this, Ray had begun to write a book about life experiences through the eyes of someone with Sickle Cell. Ray leaves to cherish precious memories: his parents, Raymond Turner, Jr. (Sheilah) and Ada Harris; siblings, Adrience (Lisa), Elmore (Keith) and Joseph Turner (Sharonda); two nieces and two nephews, Kourtnee and Keith Elmore, Jr. and La’Tiya and Joseph Turner; one great niece, Knovah Elmore; godmom, Aunt Marie Brown of Millsboro, DE; great aunt, Diane Bivens of Philadelphia, PA; aunts, Arletti Fitchett and Shirley Harris, both of Salisbury, MD, Shirley Hopkins of Millsboro, DE, Lutina Harris and Mary Harris, both of Princess Anne, MD, Consorilla Gilmore of North Carolina, Annie Harris of Columbia, MD and Callie Brown of Eden, MD; uncles, James Turner (Juanita) of Ohio, Gary McKinley of Eden, MD, Tyrone McKinley of Salisbury, MD, Charles Long of Florida, John Harris of California, David Harris of Delaware, and Ervin Harris of North Carolina; a special companion, Monique White of Salisbury, MD; two children with whom he had a special bond, Cynhsir Lomax-Cuffee and Jaihaud White, both of Salisbury, MD and three godchildren, Morris Wigfall, Jr., Kesheya Hall and Tamira Edwards. Ray also leaves to mourn his other family at Peninsula Regional Medical Center and the Sickle Cell Clinic in Greenbelt, MD; best friends, Orlando Dennis and Anthony Ballard. He was preceded in death by: one sister, Andrea Turner; Grandparents, Eugene and Annie Harris, Raymond and Alma Tuner (Grandmom Honey Honey), Helen and Joseph McKinley and Elizabeth Turner; aunts and uncles, Michelle McKinley-Boston, Nellie Harris, Anna Porter, Van McKinley, Eugene Harris (Uncle Buddy) and several friends and cousins. Though Ray is no longer here, he will not be forgotten. We all have good memories of Ray, especially him saying, “I Love You.” PUT GOD FIRST AND BET ON YOURSELF.

Raymond Matthew Turner III

September 19, 1976 - August 21, 2020