Lisa Turk-James

Lisa Christine Turk- James, 63, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep on August 10, 2026.

Lisa was born in Syracuse on May 28, 1963. She attended St. Anthony Catholic School, the Syracuse city schools, and Job Corps in Oneonta, where she graduated with a diploma. Lisa was a certified phlebotomist. She worked at the Syracuse Community Health Center, as well as several private doctor’s offices.

In addition, she worked with children at Roberts School through the Foster Grandparents Program of Peace Inc.

Over her lifetime, Lisa traveled and discovered new places, some of which she loved and chose to live in. However, she always returned to Syracuse to be with her mother. She enjoyed many things: going to concerts, going out to eat, and watching football and basketball; the Philadelphia Eagles and the Golden State Warriors were her favorite teams. Whenever she could get out of Syracuse for a vacation, amusement parks and visiting friends and family were her top picks. In addition to being an avid game show watcher, Lisa loved movies. Toy Story was her favorite; she watched it over and over again.

Lisa is predeceased by her father, Zack Turk, sister, Sandra Turk, and niece, Shaniqua “Scarlett” James. Lisa leaves to cherish her memory: her mother, Lizzie M. Turk, sister, Rosla Roberts Proetta; brother, Jonathan (Phyllis) Turk Sr.; maternal aunts, Donnie Herring and Isabel (Will) Brown; several nieces, nephews; other siblings, relatives and friends, including the McClendon family, her longtime companion, Homer Thompson, and Hez-ekiea, who they’ve had since he was six months old.”

Visitation will be held from 11-12pm Wednesday on August 19, 2026 at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 705 N. Main St., N. Syracuse, NY, with services at 12noon at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Loomis Hill Cemetery.

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