All or nothing. Thay short but memorable phrase describes how James Cedric “CT” Turner decided to navigate this journey called life. James, who was affectionately known as Cedric or “CT,” was born in Iredell County on October 28, 1955, to Otelia Imes Turner and the late Harvey Lee “Tab” Turner. He departed this life on Monday, January 3, 2022, at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville, N.C., following an extended illness.

He was a graduate of North Iredell High School in Olin, N.C., and was the co-founder of CT and Sons Trucking and CT and Sons Racing along with his wife Cynthia Turner. He shared his love of racing with all of those who had the privilege of knowing him. He instilled that same love of racing in his children, especially his sons, John, Rico, and Shawn. He was always the center of conversation, sharing his wisdom with everyone who would listen.

In addition to his father, Harvey Lee “Tab” Turner, he was also preceded in death by his granddaughter, Stoney Monroe Blackwell; paternal grandparents, Off and Lizzie Gaither Turner; and his maternal grandparents, Samuel and Annie Gaither Imes.

Along with his wife Cynthia “Collette” Foster Turner, he leaves to cherish the memory of his life four daughters, LaTorya (Derek) Blackwell and LaShawna (Kerry) Thompson of Charlotte, LaKeya (Jarome) Steele of Statesville, and LaSheka (Bryan) Nichols of Troutman; three sons, Johnny (Erin “Jo”) Evans, Albert (Riki) Evans, and Shawn (Caleigh) White of Mocksville; grandchildren, Josiah Johnson, John Evans, Jeremiah Evans, Rico Evans, Aubrey Evans, Amora Harris, Bentley Stevenson, Bryleigh Nichols, Antonio Steele, Kase Blackwell and Jamaury Blackwell; his mother, Otelia Turner of Harmony; two brothers, Kenneth Turner and Kippy Dobbins of Harmony; two sisters Barbara Morris of Mocksville and Victoria Brown (Steve) of Salisbury; aunts, Wilma (Tony) Bailey and Shirley (Willie) Scott of Mocksville and Linda Imes of Statesville; uncles, David Imes of Durham and Quincy Imes of Lincolnton; three nieces, Tia Morris of Harmony, Kenya Turner of Winston-Salem, and Maria Cunningham of Yadkinville; and nephew, Keron Tuner of Harmony. Cedric also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, neighbors, relatives, friends, and racing buddies that will truly miss him.

“Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed, and very dear. Wishing us hope in the midst of sorrow, offering comfort in the midst of pain, both today and tomorrow.” (Anonymous)

Celebration of life services will be conduct on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Chestnut Grove Baptist Church in Statesville, N.C., with visitation from 12:30 until 1 p.m. Mr. Turner will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home until taken to the church to lie in state at 12 noon. Overseer Charlene Jones will officiate and Bishop Jerome Temoney will eulogize. Burial will follow at the Piney Grove AME Zion Church cemetery in Harmony, N.C. Due to the COVID-19 virus, everyone in attendance will be required to wear a mask.

Rutledge & Bigham Funeral Home is serving the family.