Mary Turner was born and raised in Louisville, KY. She is the granddaughter of the late Rev. Nelson Willis, Sr., pastor, and organizer of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church. She has taught Sunday School for Adult Women/Men and children’s classes. She has served in position(s) of church secretary, choir member, usher board member, and current Sunday School Lesson writer for the American Baptist Newspaper.

She currently holds master’s degrees in Human Resources Management and Communications (Media). Additionally, she also has a bachelor’s in Business Administration (Marketing). She is currently married to Rev. Duane Turner, pastor of First Baptist Church in Hardinsburg, KY. They are the proud parents of four adult/children. She lives her life by her late mother (Alva Willis-Jackson) motto, “I’m just here to serve.”