Turberfield, George Thomas (1872-1936)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

GEORGE T. TURBERFIELD: born at Wednesbury, Staffs, in 1872. He entered the Primitive Methodist Ministry in 1897, and for thirty-eight years he gave of his best to his Church and Master. Possessing a kind and genial personality, he won the hearts of the people wherever he went. His distinct gift of humour was one of his outstanding characteristics. It added charm to his conversation, gave a relish to his sermons and his lectures. He was keenly interested in his people, young and old; was a shrewd judge of character.

His preaching was careful and conscientious and highly appreciated, while his sympathetic nature made him a very welcome and helpful visitor in the homes of the people. In all the circuits in which he travelled he will be remembered as a true servant of God and a faithful and beloved minister. 

After being a supernumerary for one year, he was called home suddenly, at Worksop, on October 9, 1936, at the age of sixty-three years.

Family

George was born in 1872 at Wednesbury, Staffordshire, to parents George Turberfield, a forge labourer (1881), and Ann Pickering. He was baptised on 12 January 1873 at St John, Wednesbury.

Before entering the ministry George was an iron worker (1891).

He married Amy Annie Bagnall (1877-1964) in the summer of 1901 at Wednesbury, Staffordshire. Census returns and birth records identify four children.

• Doris May (1903-1986) – an elementary school teacher 91939)
• Marjorie (1904-1980) – married James A Allen in 1955
• Ralph Ernest (1908-1981) – a traveller veterinary (1939)
• Clifford (1912-1997) – a sanitary inspector (1939)              

George died on 9 October 1936 at Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

Circuits

• 1897 High Wycombe
• 1898 Brighton
• 1900 Kingston
• 1901 Wickhambrook
• 1902 Newmarket
• 1903 Beccles
• 1906 Stoke on Trent
• 1909 Belper
• 1913 Peterborough
• 1918 Lowesoft
• 1922 Spalding
• 1924 Horncastle
• 1928 Worksop
• 1932 Dent

References

Methodist Minutes 1937/189

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers