Melodee Y. Turner

Melodee Yvonne Turner passed from this life into eternal rest on Tuesday, July 22, 2026. Born October 15, 1947, Melodee, affectionately known as "Mel," was the first child of William "Billy" Commodore and Barbara Jean Troutman-Fleetwood. 

Growing up, she was adored and nurtured by her paternal grandmother, Nina Patterson Commodore.  As the eldest girl, Mel was protective and loving of her younger siblings.  Mel was charismatic, energetic, and had a captivating smile.

Melodee attended Middletown City Schools and earned an associate degree in Business Management. Throughout her career, she worked diligently in social services managing group homes for people with cognitive and developmental disabilities and writing grants—one of her quiet talents. She loved music and gave piano lessons throughout her young adult life. Music and ministry were central to who she was in Christ. Melodee enjoyed participating in community gospel events, especially the annual MLK celebration, and attended gospel choir workshops across the United States. She always returned home excited to share new gospel songs and sounds. Melodee also had a distinctive style of fashion, rooted in African traditions. She wore custom African dresses and her hair in various styles of braids. Those who knew her knew she only wore the best.

God was the center of her life. She accepted Christ as a young teenager at United Missionary Baptist Church, where Reverend James Holloman was her pastor. Bishop Rudolph Pringle ordained Melodee as a Minister of The Gospel in July 2004, under the leadership of Pastor Steve McGee at Greater Faith Baptist Church in Middletown, Ohio. She served as the Minister of Music until she accepted the “call” to prison and street ministry, which was the highlight of her walk with God. She boldly organized groups to “hit the streets” of Middletown to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

She further went inside the prison chapel of Warren Correctional Institute (WCI) as Chaplain Turner under the direction of Warden Wanza Jackson-Mitchell. As Chaplain, she organized Bible studies, choirs, weekly church services, counseling, and events to allow families of incarcerated people to witness the spiritual transformation of their loved ones. Churches of various faiths attended these services and shared in spreading the Gospel of Christ. Her prison ministry was a way to train and prepare other churches to support the incarcerated men and women in the Ohio Department of Corrections. Her prison ministry expanded from WCI to other facilities throughout Ohio, reaching and teaching men and women.

Melodee loved her family. She adored her husband, Walter "Walt" Delano Turner and her boys, George Jones II and Travis Jones. During her final years, Mel was blessed to live with her son George, daughter-in-law Shannon. They provided her with excellent care. During this time, she delighted in being “Nana” to her grandchildren. 

Melodee was preceded in death by her husband Walter Turner, her grandmother Nina P. Commodore, her mother, Barbara Jean Fleetwood, father, William “Billy” Commodore, brothers, David Fleetwood & James Commodore. 

She leaves to cherish her memory, her sons, George Jones II (Shannon) and Travis Jones. Her brothers Roy Commodore (CA) and Sherman Fleetwood (Paula-OH). Her sisters, Jennifer Carter (William-OH), Terri Flagg (OH), Sharon Howard (SC), Eleanor Wilson (TX), Frances King (OH), Margaret Shepherd (Todd-SC), Sandra Cobb (Lowvell ‘Sunny’-OH), Sheila Townsend (Michael-TX), Yvette Fleetwood (OH), Yvonne Clark (Sheldon-TX), Kim Commodore (CA), Tina Pitts (CA), Madelyn “Mac” Commodore (CA), Shauna Commodore (IL), and Cheryl Commodore (IL). Her grandchildren, Tyrese Jones, George Jones III, Marquise Jones, Shy’ane Jones, Sasha Jones, Steven Wolff (Mikaeda), and Michael Uhl. One great granddaughter, Paizlee. A special niece Heather Kimbrough, special nephew Henry “Allen” Thompson, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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