Gov. Dr. Charles Wesley Turnbull died on the eve of Emancipation Day in Washington, D.C., where he had lived for the past year, surrounded by family and friends. He was 87 years old. He was governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands from 1999 to 2007.
He is survived by sisters: Mavis Turnbull Murrain Richards and Doris Turnbull Wells; brother, Vernald Turnbull; brother-in-law, Clarence R. Wells; stepbrother, Cecil Forbes; and nieces: Barbara Clay, Brittany Clay, Bria Clay, Brianna Turner, Cherisse Wells, Dr. Monique Cypress, Arianna Cypress, Lumisha Turnbull, Janis Forbes and Vitalia Forbes.
He is also survived by nephews: Donald M. Turnbull, Antoine Turnbull, Avery Turnbull, Aaron Turnbull, Darrell Cypress, Ethan Cypress, Colin Cypress, Garrett Cypress, Donald Clay, Jamal R. Wells, Paul Turner, Vernon Forbes, and Charles Francis.
Other survivors include special cousins: Icena Turnbull Carty, Juel T.R. Molloy, Bernice A. Turnbull, Winston Turnbull, Lorna Turnbull Jackson, Marilyn Turnbull David, Angel Turnbull, Mario Turnbull, Sheldon Turnbull, Raymond Turnbull, Adolphus Turnbull, Thomas Turnbull, Illina Turnbull, George Turnbull, Adorothy Turnbull, Louis Turnbull and Atama Turnbull.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has announced the schedule of events in honor of Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, whose body will lie in state at Government House on St. Croix and St. Thomas and The Battery on St. John.
Additionally, there is a candlelight service planned that will take place at Emancipation Garden on St. Thomas, as well as a funeral service at Christchurch Methodist and interment at Eastern Cemetery, followed by a repast at Fort Christian on St. Thomas.
The schedule is as follows:
- Aug. 10: Gov. Turnbull will lie in state at Government House in Christiansted, St. Croix, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Aug. 11: Gov. Turnbull will lie in state at The Battery in Cruz Bay, St. John, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Aug. 12: Governor Turnbull will lie in state at Government House on St. Thomas from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A candlelight vigil will take place at Emancipation Garden on St. Thomas from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- Aug. 13: A viewing will take place at Christchurch Methodist Church at 9 a.m.
The funeral service will take place at Christchurch Methodist Church at 10 a.m.
Interment will follow at Eastern Cemetery on St. Thomas immediately after the funeral service.
A repast will take place at Fort Christian on St. Thomas after the interment.
Members of the public are invited to attend all events.
