Robert Turner Rivenbark Sr. of Wallace, N.C. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

Turner was born March 10, 1940, in Wallace, N.C. to the late Horace Rivenbark Sr. and Mary Fulton Rivenbark. He graduated from Wallace Rose Hill High School in 1958 and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Graduating from UNC in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, he embarked on a long and distinguished career as a certified public accountant becoming a senior partner at Cherry Bekaert & Holland.

Turner’s career took the family to Raleigh, Wilmington, Birmingham, AL and Greensboro before settling in Gastonia, N.C. for twenty-six years. Following his retirement in 2003, Turner returned to his hometown of Wallace. He was a devout member of First Baptist Church of Wallace and served as its treasurer for many years. He also served as the Coordinator for the Feed the Hungry Children Back-Pack Ministry and as the Treasurer of Duplin County Outreach Ministries working to support those in need in his community.

Turner possessed a real joy of life. He enjoyed the outdoors whether it was swimming in the surf at Wrightsville Beach, biking, or kayaking. He loved the natural beauty of the American West where he traveled frequently. That passion called him to serve as Treasurer of the Oregon California Trail Association. He was big supporter of WRH Bulldogs football, where he played during his high school days. Undoubtedly a Tarheel, he loved tailgating in Chapel Hill and cheering for the light blue. Turner appreciated the simple pleasures of a Paul’s Place hot dog or a peck of fresh steamed oysters. Most of all he loved his family.

A loving and faithful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, his caring heart and warm smile truly will be missed.

Turner is survived by his son, Robert Turner Rivenbark Jr. and his wife Lesa of Lowell, N.C.; daughter Shelly Rivenbark Hill and husband Lee of Cary, N.C.; brother William Rivenbark and wife Gail of Sarasota, FL, sister Mary Emma Rivenbark of Wilmington, N.C., and sister-in-law Mary Sue Rivenbark of Wilmington, N.C.; grandchildren, Tyler Rivenbark, Kayla Rivenbark Wallen (Cody), and Taylor and Dunning Hill; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his loving wife of 58 years, Barbara Hall Rivenbark, and by his brother, Henry Ray Rivenbark.

A celebration of Turner’s life will be held 11:00AM on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the First Baptist Church of Wallace with a reception to follow.

The family thanks everyone for their kind wishes and prayers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests those wishing to express sympathy to consider making a donation to Duplin County Outreach Ministries or Feed the Hungry Children whose missions he supported so strongly.