Charlie Ben Turman Jr was born on December 12, 1937 to the late Charlie Turman, Sr. and Annie Ruby Crymes-Turman in Midway, Alabama. He grew up in Ramer and Montgomery, Alabama. He was the oldest of eight siblings, a role which he took seriously and with great pride. He loved and cherished his siblings greatly and the feeling was always reciprocated.

When he was a young man growing up, he was affectionately known to some of his family as Bo. However, many people called him Slick because he would pull a fast one on you in minute. He had a friendly personality and never in his life met a stranger. The true test of friendship was if he gave you a nickname. He had a rough exterior but once you got to know him, he was a big old teddy bear. He enjoyed playing and watching baseball, softball, and basketball. He was the best home run hitter to ever come out of Alabama. This is a talent he took with him to Michigan where Magic Johnson asked him to be on his traveling baseball team. It was rumored that Magic said, "there is one guy in this city I need on my
team and that is Big Charlie." He is well known in the City of Lansing for his talent.

On February 25, 1961 he married the love of his life, Cleo Dillard Turman. He spent 55 long years of his life with Cleo, she was his best friend and soul mate. He often spoke about how the best days of his life were spent with his wife. Together they raised six children, two granddaughters and fostered another six Haitian refugee children who became a part of the family forever. He was always a provider, and staunch protector of his family.

He worked for Motorwheel Corporation until it went out of business. He went on to work for the City of Lansing. He retired in October 2019 after 35 plus years of services. Francis Park was his domain and it will never be the same without him. He was known for his extensive hat collection. His hats were serious business to him. In Lansing on any given Friday night, you could catch him at a basketball game around the city.

He was raised in the church and as he grew older, he never departed from this teaching. Christ remained at the center of his life until his last days. He was a member of the Galilee Baptist Church in Lansing. There he served as a Trustee and on the Usher Board.

He was preceeded in Death by his wife, Cleo D. Turman; his daughter, Cynthina Turman Knox; his son, Julius Turman; and his granddaughter, Clenita D. Turman. He leaves to cherish his memory: his sons, Charlie III (Dorothye) and Kenneth Turman; daughters, Vickie Woods and Venita Turman; and Granddaughters, Brandye (Bryant) Alexander also known as Peanut and Falynn (Albert) Morris; six sisters, three brothers-in-laws, one sister-in-law, 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, best friend Mac Glover, and a host of nieces, nephews cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held at Riley Funeral Home on Friday, August 14, 2020, from 3-6 p.m. with graveside service at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 11 a.m.