Obituary – Dr. Lucy C. Turnbull

Published 12:01 pm Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Dr. Lucy C. Turnbull died peacefully in her Oxford home with her best friends by her side in the early morning of Easter Sunday, April 21. Her death came after an extended illness.

Dr. Turnbull was born on May 26, 1931, in Lancaster, Ohio.  Her parents were the late Donald Turnbull and the late Lucy Taylor Turnbull.

Dr. Turnbull was a scholar of the first rank. She received her A.B. degree Cum Laude from Bryn Mawr College; her A.M. degree from Radcliffe College; and her Ph.D. from Radcliffe College.  Dr. Turnbull completed her post graduate studies at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, Greece. Following her academic preparation, she served Wellesley College as a Museum Assistant and Art Librarian.  She then served as a Museum Assistant at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts.

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She joined the faculty of the University of Mississippi in 1961 and experienced a long and illustrious career. She retired as Director Emerita of the University Museums and Professor Emerita of Classical Archaeology and Art.  She had over 70 publications, books, presentations, and exhibitions during her academic career at the University. She also served as Chair of the Faculty Senate.

She served on the Governing Board of the American Association of University Professors.  She was an active member of the American Civil Liberties Union; Common Cause; Mississippi Council on Human Relations; the Civil Rights Movement; and the National Organization for Women.  She was also listed in the Directory of American Scholars.

Lucy was devoted and loved member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, where she served as leader of the Alter Guild and founding member of the Daughters of the King.  For over 20 years she co-taught the Tychicus Adult Bible Study Class.

Lucy is survived by her brothers, Tom & Ed, and sister, Kathy.  She was preceded in death by her brother, Warren, and her parents.   She loved her family, friends, church, and cats. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the St. Peter’s Tychicus Adult Bible Study Class, Daughters of the King, and Altar Guild.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Altar Guild of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church or to the University of Mississippi Museums.

A rite of Christian burial will be held at St. Peter’s on Friday, April 26, 2019, at 11 a.m.  A visitation in the Parish Hall from 9–11 a.m. will precede the service. Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences may be left on her Tribute Wall at www.colemanfuneralhome.com.