Born and raised on a cattle ranch near Silverton, Texas, Bethel attended Southern Methodist University where she met and married Leslie Turner, a commercial artist. During their 65 years of marriage, they lived in New York City in the 1920's and in a sod house on a Colorado sheep ranch during the Depression. In 1938, they settled in Orlando, where Mr. Turner drew the comic strip Captain Easy, syndicated in 500 newspapers. They raised three daughters. A drawing by a family friend of their daughter, Ann, became the internationally recognized trademark of Gerber Baby Foods.

Mrs. Turner devoted her considerable energies to civic, educational, and political interests. She was active in the Democratic Party; a founder and board member of the Orlando Science Museum; and served on the Orange County Board of Education, the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board. She was a successful Realtor and real estate investor and an accomplished gardener.

The Turners traveled throughout the world. After Mr. Turner's death, Mrs. Turner moved to the University Village Retirement Center in Tampa in 1991, where she was elected to the Resident Board of Directors. She is survived by her daughters, Joy Turner Luke of Sperryville, Va., Ann Turner Cook of Tampa and Toby Turner of Belleaire, Texas; eight grandchildren and 15 great- grandchildren.

Mrs. Turner was also a member of the Third Friday Book Club - the longest running book club in the history of Central Florida. She first appeared on the 1981-1982 member list and a note in the club minutes indicates she "moved to Tampa in 1991." Her last mention was in 2002: "A donation was made to the Orange County Library in memory of Bethel Turner, a former member, who died during the year."