Fred Angier Turlington, Jr

Fred Angier Turlington, Jr., age 91, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, September 4, 2021. He was born on August 28, 1930, in Harnett County, N.C., and was the son of the late Fred Angier Turlington, Sr. and Ila Ennis Turlington. Fred spent his childhood on the family farm in Harnett County and, after completing his education, established his home in Tarboro where he resided for the last sixty-six years.

Upon completion of his secondary education in Erwin, Fred attended Pineland College-Edwards Military Institute in Salemburg and completed his education at UNC-Chapel Hill, earning his B.S. in Business Administration in 1952. He was an avid Carolina fan (and a fan of anyone playing Duke), decorating what his wife Lois called his “playroom” with shelves of various Tar Heel knick-knacks and flying a UNC flag in front of his home on game days.  

After earning his degree, Fred served in the U.S. Army with the 506th Airborne Infantry at Fort Jackson, S.C., and was honorably discharged in 1954, achieving the rank of Sergeant. He loved his country, and he faithfully replaced his UNC flag with an American flag on holidays, teaching his children flag etiquette and how to fold the flag. They carry that respect and knowledge with them to this day.

Fred was devoted to his career and clients. When he first arrived in Tarboro in 1955, he became employed as a Certified Public Accountant for C.W. Raines. He subsequently acquired the firm and spent decades at what became Turlington, Flowers and Stanley. He slowly began the process to retire in his seventies, but kept an office at the firm for many years, because he wasn’t ready to completely give up his career, and his clients were not ready to give him up either. He finally fully retired at 85.

Fred supported his church and community. He was a faithful member of Tarboro’s First Baptist Church, from when he was baptized in 1971 until his passing. Fred was also a longtime Sudan Temple Shriner. His care and concern for others was evidenced by his support of causes that were close to his heart.

Fred also found time to play. He loved to golf, and he did so weekly at Hilma, Maccripine and Cotton Valley. When his health kept him from spending long days on the course, he turned his backyard into his own personal driving range, hitting golf balls from one side to the other on sunny afternoons. When he wasn’t in the yard, he was reading a book on an obscure topic to learn as much as he could, so he could tell everyone else about it. Education was important to Fred, and he encouraged everyone he knew to never stop reading and learning. He also loved taking care of his roses, and he was quick to brag on his latest blooms.

And Fred always had a lot of lessons. He would drive his family crazy giving them the same driving tips over and over again, but it was all because he wanted them to get home safely. He was proud of his family, and he taught his children and grandchildren how to be the perfect balance of serious and light-hearted by example.

If someone was in need—whether it be for advice, a couple of bucks or a laugh—Fred was always there to help. He made his difference quietly, with his own family only finding out about his kindness and generosity when someone thanked them for it. 

Fred was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Lois, and they are now reunited in heaven. Fred is survived by his daughter, Anita Catherine Turlington, and his son, David Fred Turlington, and his wife, Robin; his sister Anne Turlington Lay of Raleigh, as well as four grandchildren: Cee Cee Huffman, Laura Ellen Turlington, Anna Catherine Turlington and Walter Turlington Huffman.

The family will receive friends and family at Carlisle Funeral Home, Tarboro, on Thursday, September 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. A celebration of Fred’s life will be held Friday, September 10 at the First Baptist Church, Tarboro, at 11 a.m, followed by the interment at 2:30 p.m. at Harnett Devotional Gardens in Dunn.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made in Fred’s memory to the American Lung Association, by visiting https://www.lung.org/get-involved/ways-to-give, or by mail to First Baptist Church, 605 North Main Street, Tarboro, N.C., 27886.

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