The Frederick E. Turnage Distinguished Speaker Series at Lakeside: Conversations on Christian Citizenship was inaugurated in 2014 thanks to a generous gift from the Turnage family and friends of the late Fred Turnage. 

This annual event brings well known speakers to Rocky Mount to help us explore the various ways in which we might live out our faith as citizens of our community. The series will seek out experts with vast experience in the church, public service, business, education, the arts, the sciences, non-profit organizations, and other areas of our common life.

Fred Turnage was a life-long resident of Rocky Mount, an attorney who served citizens of this region, and mayor of our city for thirty-four years. He was also a member of Lakeside for fifty years and served in many leadership capacities. This series will blend the two passions in Fred’s life: concerned citizenship and faithful living.

All events will be held at:

Lakeside Church

1501 Sunset Avenue

Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804

If you would like to support this ongoing ministry and honor the legacy of Fred Turnage, you may do so by making a gift to: The Turnage Speaker Series, Lakeside Church, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, or by clicking on our Give page

About Frederick E. Turnage

John Frederick Earl Turnage was born December 30, 1935, in Edgecombe County, the son of Clarence Earl Turnage and Stella Mae Davenport Turnage. Fred was a life-long resident of Rocky Mount. He graduated from Rocky Mount High School, Wake Forest University and Wake Forest University School of Law. He was a member of Lakeside Baptist Church for fifty years where he contributed his talent and energies in numerous ways.

Fred was a dedicated servant of the Rocky Mount area and served in many leadership roles including 34 years as the mayor of Rocky Mount, Past Chairman of the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Upper Coastal Plain Learning Council, and President of the North Carolina League of Municipalities. He also served as Board Member for the National League of Municipalities and on the North Carolina Local Government Commission, President of the Electric Cities of North Carolina, and on numerous other Boards and Commissions committed to the well-being of the Rocky Mount Community.

Fred’s dedication to the Rocky Mount area and its citizens was best demonstrated by his loving and caring nature. He believed in a mission to help people and committed himself to causes that benefitted his fellow man. He touched so many people through his public life and his 50 years as a practicing attorney in Rocky Mount.

Fred’s true spirit was revealed in his love for his family: his wife of 51 years, Norma; his son, John and his wife Beth; his daughter, Trevor and her husband Tommy Lane; his five grandchildren, Elizabeth, Olivia, Charlie, Robert and Graham; and his sister, Kay McGregor and her husband Carl.

Fred Turnage passed away on Sunday, July 31, 2011.

Past Speakers

January 12-13, 2014 Dr. Jonathan Walton, “Christian Citizenship,”  Plummer Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard University, Pusey Minister in Harvard’s Memorial Church

January 11-12, 2015 Dr. Gary Gudnerson, “The Leading Causes of Life,” Vice President for Faith and Health, Professor of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Professor of Religion and the Health of the Public, Wake Forest University School of Divinity

Dr. Teresa Cutts, Research Assistant Professor at Wake Forest School of Medicine

October 11-12, 2015 Rev. Clark Olsen, “Selma: A Turning Point in History,” Retired Unitarian Universalist Minister, Former Vice-President of the Association of Congregations

April 17-18, 2016 Dr. William A Graham, The Impact of World Religions on Community,” Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor, M. A. Albertson Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, Member of the Faculty of Divinity

January 28-29, 2018 Rev. Dr. Luke Powery, “The Good Life of Faith,” Dean of the Chapel, Duke University