Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Carla Helen Gramza Turner, 82, died peacefully at her home in Edgewater on May 11, 2025 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Born to the late Carl and Eveline Schammel in Baltimore, Maryland on April 19, 1943, she graduated from Glen Burnie High School in 1961. From there, she met her husband Albert Gramza, who was serving in the Navy. Once his term was up, they married on June 20, 1962 and were married for 39 years before he passed away in 2001. 

During her lifetime, she was an avid member of the Southdown Shores Community where she and Al raised their family. She was a member of the board of directors and helped organize and run countless community activities.  Carla was a parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, where she ran Bingo for numerous years. She was also a member of the Lady Lions Auxiliary Club. Carla coached a women’s softball team, a youth softball team, and in more recent years, a tee ball team for her granddaughter. 

Throughout her life, she enjoyed playing softball, tennis, bowling, golfing, camping at Assateague, and playing cards.  Carla also worked for Colonial Florist, Annapolis, for more than 15 years.

Carla’s most notable achievement was the ability to make anyone feel loved and welcomed into her family. She was known to listen, support, and laugh with everyone who knew her. This is evident in the number of non-blood family members who call her “Mom” and “Grammy”. 

After her first husband Al passed away, she was blessed to find a partner with George G. Turner Jr., of Edgewater, Maryland.  They were married on December 6, 2003.  Together, they golfed, traveled, and were snowbirds in Florida.  However, they spent most of their time together attending the countless swim meets, wrestling tournaments, football, basketball, lacrosse, volleyball and field hockey games of their grandchildren. Carla spent 11 loving years with George until his passing in 2014.

Carla is survived by her daughters, Candace Gramza Brown (Bill) and Kimberly Gramza Goodrich (Burt); her stepson, George Turner III, known as “Buddy”; her stepdaughters, Vicki Brashears (Mark), Kristine James (Bill), and Patricia Turner;   and her two bonus daughters, Dawn Walters and Heather Wood. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ben Brashears (Briana), Lindsey Snider (John), Ian Turner, Robert Garland (Abby), Jennifer Cannon (Chris), Jessica Van Hoesen (John), Owen James, Benjamin Brown (Savana), Samuel Brown (Ashley), Hannah Brown, Abigail Brown, Robert Goodrich, Jacob Goodrich, and Alexis Goodrich. In addition, she is survived by nine great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to Carla's life celebration on Thursday, May 15 from 1 to 3 and again from 6 to 8 pm at Kalas Funeral Home and Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, where her memorial service will be held on Friday, May 16 at 11 am.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122 or online <a href="https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/donate-now/">here</a>. Online condolences may be made using the Memories tab on this page.

Carla Helen Turner

Carla Helen Turner

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