Retired Mississippi County Sheriff, Larry Eugene Turley, age 76, of rural Charleston, died Sunday, September 27, 2020, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Larry was born on August 21, 1944 in Sikeston, Mo. and son of the late Louis E. "Blue" and Vida Mae Payne Turley.

On December 28, 1981, married the former Karen Rowland, who survives of the home, together with his beloved dogs, Gabby and Charlie.

Also surviving are his daughter Samantha and her husband, Danny Cooper of Sikeston. His sons Larry E. "Chuck" Turley II and wife Cindy of Ashland City, TN and Todd Hall and his wife, Lacey of rural Sikeston. Grandchildren: Amber Cooper, Shawn Cooper, Clayton Cooper and his wife, Rheagan, Abigail Cooper, Savanna Turley, Finn Hall, Grady Hall and Cecily Hall.

He also had two special grandchildren, Brent Burke and Lalli Gayton, brother: Dennis Turley and his wife Lori of Pleasant View, TN;  and sisters: Linda Linhart and her husband Norville Dean, Sue Keeton, Pam Allred, Janie Marcum all of East Prairie; and Kathy Rakestraw and her husband, Randy of St. Louis, Mo.

He was also survived by his only living aunt, Louise Payne Stephens and her husband Dave of Boonville, Mo.; also,  many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his older brother, Jerry Turley.

Larry was a member of Miner Baptist Church. He was a lifelong hunter, gun enthusiast and an avid day lily gardener.

He graduated from Anniston High School in 1962. He worked at the East Prairie Eagle and moved to Elkart, Indiana to work for a short period of time. When he returned to Missouri, he married Faye Treadwell Walborg, who resides in Sikeston.

He worked for many years at Potlach (now Tetra Pak) in Sikeston. He and his family later moved to Mulkeytown, Illinois where they farmed and had a hog operation with his in-laws, Clyde and Alta Treadwell.

They moved back to Missouri and he graduated from the Missouri Law Enforcement Academy in 1978. He was a Deputy Sheriff under the former Sheriff Norris Grissom together with his brother, Dennis Turley.

He was a Deputy Sheriff at different intervals for 8 years before former Sheriff W. J. "Pedro" Simmons convinced him to run for Mississippi County Sheriff. He was elected Sheriff in 1992 and held the position until his retirement in 2004.

Larry received many awards during his tenure as Sheriff but the most prestigious award was received August 1, 1997, as National recognition from the Federal government for his efforts in the war or drugs. The investigation resulted in arrests nationwide. The award was presented by the West Central Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force as a Meritorious Achievement Award for exemplary service in the successful investigation and prosecuting of Operation SPEED BUMP.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 29, 2020, at the First Baptist Church in Charleston where funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 30, 2020.   Rev. George White of East Prairie will officiate. A eulogy will be offered by Dr. Richard Logan.

Interment will follow in the Dogwood Cemetery under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Pallbearers will be current and former members of Law Enforcement: Mississippi County Sheriff Britton Ferrell, Honorable Judge Rob Barker, Former reserve officer, Rodney Clayton, former Sheriff Branden Caid, Trooper Lonnie Lejeune and Trooper Dewey Heppe.

Honorary Pallbearers will be current and former members of Law Enforcement: Retired Captain Mary Anne Clayton, Trooper Brenda Cone, Deputy Roy Moore, Deputy David Watkins, Deputy Mike Borders, Officer Wesley McDermott, Nicole Sinks, David McDermott, Don Chance, Debi Oliver, Officer Brenda Bickford, former reserve officers Charles Tinsley and Kevin Miller, Craig Karnes and retired SEMO Drug Task Force Director, Kevin Glazer.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:   Fallen Star Benevolent Fund, c/o Missouri Sheriff's Association, 6605 Business 50 West, Jefferson City, MO 65109

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com

The family welcomes you to attend the visitation and funeral services.  They certainly understand if you do not feel comfortable to attend and ask that you sign the online guest book on this website if so.

If you do plan to attend, please observe social distancing practices. You are encouraged to wear a facial mask or covering.