Milton Turner

Milton Almon Turner, age 80, died peacefully in his sleep on July 19, 2023 at Park West Hospital from complications of stroke. He was surrounded with love by his wife and family. Born on March 13, 1943, Milton grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee where he attended The McCallie School. Afterwards at The University of Alabama, he joined Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and was recruited by Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant to serve as Captain of the UA Wrestling Team. He received a B. A. in Philosophy and went on to graduate from The University of Alabama’s School of Law. Though he never practiced law, his education served him well in a long and storied business career in investments both in the U. S. and abroad. In West Knoxville, he is noted for his many commercial and residential real estate developments. In 1960, Milton married Anne Jerrine Elkins and together they welcomed three sons and a daughter. In 1997, he married Emily "Mimi" Browning Tucker whose two young daughters would complete their blended family of six children. Milton was known for his keen intellect, sharp wit, sense of humor, and for his deep and abiding love of family and friends. An avid fisherman, he spent many happy years in the Florida Keys pursuing sport fishing. An avid cook, he turned his hobby into a thriving business, opening the award-winning Uncle’s Restaurant in Islamorada, Florida. An avid gardener, with his wife Mimi, he created a variety of landscape features at Heron’s Nest, their home for 22 years in South Knoxville on the Little River. A globe trotter, a wine connoisseur, a voracious reader and an art collector all spoke to his zest for life. With a strong commitment of giving back to his community, Milton participated generously to The Alexis de Tocqueville Society of The United Way, The Knoxville Museum of Art’s Collectors Circle, The Webb School of Knoxville and The Knoxville Botanical Garden & Arboretum as well as many other civic organizations. He was a member of St. John’s Cathedral and The Cherokee Country Club. Milton is preceded in death by his parents Samuel F. D. and Marceille Turner; beloved grandmother Henrietta Clark Almon; brother and sister-in-law Sam and Verina Turner; father-in-law Louis Avon Browning; brother-in-law Wilson Pryor Browning; and first wife Anne Elkins Lovett. Milton is survived by his wife of 26 years Emily (Mimi) Browning Turner; brother Joe (Faye Ed) of Cleveland, Tennessee; mother-in-law Emily Pryor Browning of Knoxville; brother-in-law Dr. Louis Avon Browning, Jr. of Knoxville (Carolyn); daughters Jennifer Elkins Turner, Mary Emily (Mollie) Turner of Knoxville and Marie Sinclair Tucker of Old Hickory, Tennessee; sons Milton Turner, Jr. (Wendy), Matthew Turner (Annie), and Camden Turner (Karen); honorary sons Richard Whipple (Deborah) of Cobham, England and Michael Cabage (Kristin) of Knoxville; nephews Lou Browning of Knoxville and Pryor Browning of Spring Hill, Tennessee (Jesie); and his eight grandchildren Geneva Liebhart, Jared Turner, Logan Turner, Tara Turner, Gray Turner, Tristan Turner, Wyatt Turner and Wolf Turner. Milton leaves behind many cherished nephews and nieces, great nephews and great nieces and cousins. He is also survived by many close and life-long friends including Paolo Poma di Murialdo of Rome, Italy; Joe LePree of Islamorada, Florida; John Lucas of Manakin-Sabot, Virginia; Bill McCall of Maryville, Tennessee; Don Stansberry of Huntsville,Tennessee; Wendell Thomas of Knoxville; Mike Chase of Knoxville; Craig Belitz of Knoxville; John Trotter of Knoxville; Richard Campo of Jasper, Tennessee; and Martin and Christine Kim of Knoxville. A Celebration of Life will take place on Monday, August 7 at 5:00 pm at St. John’s Cathedral in Knoxville with a reception afterwards in The Great Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. John’s Cathedral, The Knoxville Museum of Art, or a charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank the compassionate staff of Park West Hospital, and Milton’s caregivers at the end of his life. Online condolences may be extended at rosefuneraltn.com.

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Milton Turner

March 14, 1943 - July 19, 2023