Bennie Turner, former President of the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters, has passed. He was also a legislator in his home state of Missisippi and was still an active broadcaster, running WTWG-AM in Columbus MS.
Here is a remembrance, along with funeral arrantements, from NABOB’s Jim Winston:
Dear NABOB Members and Friends,
It is with great sadness I inform you that Bennie Turner passed away on Tuesday, November 27. Bennie served as President of NABOB for twenty years, and he was a strong, steady influence in the organization. Bennie’s company, T&W Communications Corp., owns WTWG(AM) in Columbus, Mississippi. Bennie is survived by his wife, Edna, who is the General Manager of WTWG and also an active member of NABOB. They are the parents of three grown daughters and several grandchildren.
In addition to being a radio station owner for decades, Bennie was a practicing attorney and a Mississippi State Senator, having been elected in 1992. As a Senator, Bennie was a powerful influence. In 1996 Bennie was appointed Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, one of the five major committees in the Senate, after only three years in the Senate. With this appointment he made history as the first Black senator named chair of one of the major committees. Before being elected to the Senate, Bennie served as county prosecuting attorney in Clay County.
On a personal level, I will miss Bennie as a quick wit, who could always find a light comment to ease the NABOB Board through a difficult situation. Bennie liked to fish, and during several Spring Conferences in the Caribbean, he led groups of NABOB attendees on some very memorable deep sea fishing trips.
Commenting on the loss we all feel, Lois Wright, Counsel to the Board said, “Bennie was one of NABOB’s most loyal supporters who could always be counted upon to ‘answer the call’ whenever he was needed, whether it was to join in on our constant lobbying of the FCC and Congress to preserve minority ownership, or to participate in NABOB’s fundraising or investment efforts. Bennie was a good friend and will be greatly missed.”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send donations in Bennie’s name to:
Trinity AME Church
3894 Jim Griffin Road
West Point, Mississippi 39773
The family has provided the following information about services:
VISITATION SERVICES
Sunday, December 2, 2012 (1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
Turner & Associates
103 W. Main Street
West Point, MS 39773
(662) 494-6611
FUNERAL SERVICES
Monday, December 3, 2012 (11:00 a.m.)
Third Mt. Olive Baptist Church
904 Mosley Avenue
West Point, MS 39773
(662) 494-8414
