Jimmy "Turp" L. Turpin

Jimmy L. Turpin “Turp”, age 89 passed away, Monday, September 25, 2023, at Graham Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

          He was born and raised in the Yellow Creek Community of Robbinsville, NC and the son of the late Jack and Rosel Ditmore Turpin.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, June Turpin Lambert and Julia (Judy) Turpin.

          Turp loved Graham County and lived here his entire life.  He graduated from Robbinsville High School in 1953.  He was the kicker for the Robbinsville High Blue Devils from 1950 through the 1953 seasons. He was also a member of Hosanna Baptist Church. Turp's love of hunting and fishing was well known and in addition to teaching his siblings, children and grandchildren how to fish and hunt, he would often take friends and relatives’ children out for a day of fishing on the lake.  He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1995 after 25 years as a rural letter carrier to then become a fishing and tour guide on Fontana Lake.

          He is survived by his daughters, Traci Turpin of Fletcher, NC, Karen Hedrick of Robbinsville, NC; grandchildren, Jordan Farley of Robbinsville, NC, Summer Crowe of Murphy, NC, Noah Hedrick of Charleston, SC; great grandchildren, Wyatt Hyde, Rylen Hyde, Teagan Farley, Sawyer Crowe; and sisters Jean Brooms, Joan Roblee both of Robbinsville, NC and a very special friend Miriam McKeehan of Maryville, TN.

          A Service in Celebration of Turp’s life will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, September 28, 2023, outdoors in the field adjacent to Townson-Smith Funeral Home.  Turp’s longtime friend Marty Maxwell will officiate. Burial will follow the service at the Upper Yellow Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 till 1:45 pm inside the Townson-Smith Chapel.

          Townson-Smith Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Turpin family.  An online register is available at www.towsnon-smithfuneralhome.com.