Minister Sandra Elizabeth Turner

Sandra Elizabeth Cole Turner was born on October 20, 1945 in Johnson City, Tennessee to George William Cole and Ella Louise Odell. Affectionately known as “Sissy,” she was the youngest sister of George William Cole III. From an early age, Sandra’s gentle spirit, generosity, and joyful sense of humor were evident. Family, friends, and classmates recall her as a lighthearted prankster who would always find ways to bring laughter and comfort into any room. Sandra was educated at Langston Hughes High School in Johnson City, Tennessee. She had a passion for singing and connected with the gospel music she heard playing in her home. She proudly sang with her mother’s choir, The Odell Inspirational Choir and later formed her own gospel group, The Gospelettes. Music and worship were deeply rooted in her and became a lifelong legacy that would continue through her children. Sandra married George Turner and became a devoted mother. In 1972, she relocated to Passaic, New Jersey determined to build a stable and loving life for her four children: David, Etta, Mechelle, and Angie. A caregiver at heart, she worked in healthcare at Preakness Nursing Home and Beth Israel Hospital, while also volunteering faithfully in daycares and churches. Her spiritual journey led her to Mt. Zion Baptist Church in New Jersey under the leadership of Pastor Fred Kilpatrick and later to Roger Wlliams Baptist Church, under Rev. William B Davidson. In 2001, Sandra moved to Georgia, continuing her unwavering commitment to God and the church, she joined Tabernacle Baptist Church under Pastor Dennis Meredith, and later Love Life Christian Fellowship Church where she served under Pastor Grace C. Washington. At Love Life, Sandra served faithfully in numerous ministries, including Hospitality, Combined Choir, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and her beloved Titus Women. In 2005, she was licensed to be a minister through the Grace C. Washington Institute, an affirmation of the calling she had walked in for years. With a special heart for children, she also served as Camp Monitor for Camp Love Summer Enrichment Program, where her warm smile was often the first welcome parents and campers encountered. Her tenderness towards children and commitment to personal development motivated her to earn an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Post University. When her son, Pastor Dwight Kitchings Sr. and daughter Elder Mechelle established Kedesh Family Life Center, Sandra joyfully joined them serving as a Church Mother, offering wisdom, prayer, and unconditional love to all. Sandra cherished her calling as mother to many and “Nana” to countless others. She would greet church visitors, pray for strangers, and welcome people into her home – turning guests into family. She never let physical health or limitations restrict her ministry. She carried a spirit of “Total Praise” encouraging others through daily inspirational text messages, early morning prayer calls, online worship, and heartfelt personalized birthday songs. Her commitment to multiple prayer calls such as the Obadiah Prayer Ministry and The Fourth Watch Prayer Group was so consistent that she would wake up at 4:00 a.m. to ensure that she was on all of them. Sandra was known for her generosity, encouragement, and remarkable ability to see the God-given potential in everyone she met. She always wanted to make sure that they were well and would echo a Philippians 4:13 reminder that they “can do all things through Christ who strengthens…”. She loved cooking, traveling, musical events, and entertaining her family – biological and adopted. Nothing filled her heart with joy as much as spending time with her loved ones. On Friday, December 19, 2025, God gently called Sandra Elizabeth Turner’s name, and she peacefully departed from earthly labor to eternal rest, joining the heavenly choir she had long prepared for with her son, David Cole on keys and her mother Ella on organ. Truly this phenomenal woman will be deeply missed as she allowed her gifts to lead her. The spirit of faith, love, and unwavering service will continue to live on in every person that loved her and every life she touched. Sandra is preceded in death by her father, George William Cole, Sr; mother, Ella Louise Odell; brother, George William Cole III; and son, David Bryon Cole from C&C Music Factory. She leaves to cherish her memory and preserve her legacy: children, Etta Cole, Mechelle Kitchings (Dwight, Sr.), and Angela Mason; grandchildren, Andre Kitchings, Sr. (Brittany), Denean Kitchings, Shaquana Shelley (Tyler), Shonrae Williams, David Nichols, David Rice, Jr., Dana Nichols, Erica Kitchings, and Dwight Kitchings, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Ayana Dewitt, Faith Kitchings, Shamarr Shelley, Andre Kitchings, Jr., Logen Shelley, and Jakai Freeman; special sisters, Ida Shelley and Carrie Johnson; and a host of adopted children and grand-children, friends and loved ones. The Celebration of Life Service for Minister Sandra Turner will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 12 PM. This service will be recorded and streamed live. If the event is interrupted at any time due to technical issues, the entire event will be uploaded and available to view later in the day. Please copy and paste the link to share, or simply click on the link to view the event. https://vimeo.com/event/5613549

Tributes

Minister Sandra Elizabeth Turner

October 20, 1945 - December 19, 2025