Charles Turberville

Charles Turberville passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, from complications of COVID-19. He died in his apartment at Woldenberg Village where he had resided for the past year. Charles was born in New Orleans in 1948 a graduate of Martin Behrman High School and Southeastern LA University. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1971-75, upon his Honorable Discharge from the Navy he worked for the Internal Revenue Service. After leaving the IRS, he spent the rest of his professional career as an auditor for the Department of Defense, originally at the Naval Support Activity in Algiers and later at Avondale Shipyard. However, Charles’ greatest passion in life was Mardi Gras. His love of Carnival began as a child, when he was crowned King of a Mardi Gras party at his elementary school. Charles joined the Krewe of Choctaw in the early 1970s and was active in the organization for decades. He reigned as Chief Choctaw in 1988, and he served on the board of directors until a few years ago when his health began to fail. He was active in the Krewe of King Arthur for many years and reigned as King Arthur in 1997 for the krewe’s twentieth anniversary. In 1989, Charles joined the Krewe of Armeinius. He served as Captain for seven balls, most recently in 2013. He reigned as Queen Armeinius in 1994 and King Armeinius in 2002. He held numerous board positions and served on the board until 2015. Charles was also active in the Krewe of Petronius for several years in the early 2000s and reigned as King Petronius in 2008. In addition to his krewe memberships, Charles was elected to the board of the Fat Monday Luncheon in the mid-1990s and continued on the board until two years ago. He also joined the Steamboat Club around the same time and was active until recently. Charles is remembered by his countless friends as a man of great charm and boundless energy. Armeinius founder and longtime friend Wendell Stipelcovich recalls that Charles “was a hard worker and had a knack for pulling things together”. Charles was also very active in The Sunshine Club of Algiers, Skip’s Wild Irish Clan and a founding member of the Algiers Shamrock Society. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Hixon Turberville, Sr., Florence Quinn Turberville and his brother, Carl Hixon Turberville, Jr. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Cecile Turberville Feeney, and his lifelong friend David Scheu, who served as Charles’ primary caretaker during his final years; by his niece Tara Reaves(Ricky) and great-niece Carly Reaves; by cousins Bonnie Laigast and Katie Floyd; and by dear friends Claudia & Guy Laigast; as well as hundreds of friends and family all across the country. Family and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Mass at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, 400 Verret St., Algiers, LA on Friday, January 22, 2021 at 11am. A Memorial Visitation will be held at the church from 9am until 11am. All those attending are required to wear a face covering. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Sunshine Club of Algiers, 2264 Mercedes Blvd, Algiers, LA 70114