Services
Homegoing Celebration, Sunday, March 16, 2025 @ 10:00am
Horowitz Center Smith Theatre
Howard Community College
(for direction to the garage, please use the following address for GPS)
5070 Campus Drive, Columbia, MD 21044
Following the service, interment for daily and close friends will be held at
Columbia Memorial Park, 12005 Clarksville, MD 21029
Obituary
Frank Seaton Turner, a distinguished educator and public servant, passed away on February 14, 2025, at the age of 77. Born on July 6, 1947, in Mount Pleasant, New York, Frank dedicated his life to his family, to education, community building and public service.
Frank earned his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from North Carolina Central University. He taught business law and served some time as Chairman of the Business Department at Morgan State University, for 41 years inspiring and developing the minds of countless students. In 1986, he served as deputy campaign manager for Maryland Congresswoman Barbara Mikulski leading to her becoming a United States Senator. Frank continued to work as a special assistant to Senator Mikulski from 1987-1993.
In 1990, Frank made history by becoming the first Black judge in Howard County. In 1994, Frank again made history by becoming the first Black elected to the Maryland General Assembly from Howard County. He served in the House of Delegates for 24 years, from January 11, 1995, to January 9, 2019. During his tenure, Delegate Frank Turner was a member of the Ways and Means Committee and chaired its financial resources subcommittee, overseeing matters related to gambling and casinos.
Beyond his legislative duties, Frank was deeply involved in local education. After retiring from the legislature, Frank was appointed by former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan in 2019 to serve as a trustee at Howard Community College in Columbia, MD.
Frank's commitment to his community was evident in his advocacy for various projects, including securing state funding for the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center in Howard County. He was a member of the Tau Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Fraternity, Inc. as well as other service-based organizations. His legacy of service and dedication to education and community development will be remembered by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Kimberlee Carter Turner; former spouse, Leslie Smith Turner; sons, Frank Turner II (spouse Tara), Terrence Turner, Travis Turner, Brandon Harris, and Harold Cogdell, Jr.; Francis Turner, brother; Augusta Turner, sister; John Turner, brother; Celeste Turner, sister; and three grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. His passing marks the loss of our devoted patriarch, and a dedicated educator, public servant, and community leader whose contributions have left an indelible mark throughout the State of Maryland.
The Homegoing celebration will be held on Sunday, March 16th at 10:00 am at the Horowitz Center Smith Theatre at Howard Community College.
Guest parking is available in the West Garage directly across from the Horowitz Center.
For directions to the garage, please use the following address for GPS:
5070 Campus Drive, Columbia, MD 21044
Following the service, interment for family and close friends will be held at Columbia Memorial Park, 12005 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory may be made to the Howard Community College Educational Foundation. Donations can be made online, designated to the Delegate Frank Turner Endowment at https://www.howardcc.edu/donate or by check made payable to the Howard Community College Foundation (please note Delegate Frank Turner Endowment on the memo line) and mailed to: Howard Community College Educational Foundation, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044.
Cards and correspondence may be mailed to the family, in care of the Howell Funeral Homes, at 10220 Guilford Rd., Jessup, Md 20794.
The Turner Family is grateful for your love, prayers, and support during this time.