Home at Last: Meet the Turner Family
By Volunteer Contributor Katrina Machetta
First came the shock. Then came the joy. And finally, the excitement and anticipation of a fresh start.
These were the emotions that swept over Kelly and Troy Turner when they received the life-changing news: they had been selected by Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter for a home through the Homeownership Program.
“I wasn’t sure if it was going to happen. And then when they called, I was kind of in shock—like I couldn’t believe it,” Kelly recalled, describing the unforgettable moment she learned they had been chosen.
For Kelly, Troy, and their five children—Jordan (15), Jonathan (11), Moriah (6), Grace (5), and Luke (2)—the house is nothing short of an answered prayer.
“We had prayed about a house, and I didn’t even want to be too picky. I didn’t care what it looked like. I just really wanted an acre of land and four bedrooms for the kids. That’s it—and that’s exactly what this house is,” Kelly said, still in awe.
The Turners know what it means to outgrow a space. They’ve been renting their current home in Leesburg for nine years, moving in as a family of four but now raising seven under one roof. With three boys at vastly different ages sharing a single room, even simple things—like Jordan’s love for Legos—turned into a challenge when a toddler’s curious hands could reach them all. “Having another bedroom for the boys will be awesome!” Kelly shared.
Outside of home life, the Turners are busy, community-minded people. Troy owns a full-service landscape company that services properties across Lake and Sumter Counties, while Kelly runs a consulting firm in Leesburg. They’ve always loved spending time outdoors with their children—whether it’s rescuing their dog Shelby (found on the side of the road and nursed back to health), dreaming of gardening, or imagining the treehouse they’ll build in the new backyard.
As the house began to take shape, the support from Habitat and the broader community turned construction into a labor of love. Heavily involved in their church, the Turners invited their congregation to lend a hand—and the response was overwhelming.
“We told everybody at our church, ‘We’re going to get together to paint.’ And a whole bunch of people showed up,” Kelly shared. “The ladies on site told us, ‘We’ve never seen this many people come out at once for something like this.’ We had around 22 people show up just to paint with us. That was such a blessing.”
Now, the family is eagerly planning a future filled with cherished memories—from hosting birthday parties in their big yard, to baking cookies in the new kitchen, to letting each child add their personality to the walls with colors and decorations of their own.
“When it’s not your house, you can’t really do what you want—you can’t plant trees or have a big garden, and you have to keep the walls white,” Kelly said. “But with this home, it will be ours. We’ll finally be able to make it our own.”
For the Turner kids, the excitement is already bubbling over: Jordan can’t wait to finally have his own room, Jonathan is already planning for a new dog, Moriah and Grace can’t wait to bake, and little Luke may only say “Yay!”—but everyone knows he’s ready for the bottom bunk.
To the Habitat staff, volunteers, donors, and church family who made this dream possible, the Turners express heartfelt gratitude.
“The work really matters. I’m sure they know that, but every single person we’ve met has been a blessing. They’re kind, caring people who see others as equals—not as someone to help, but as partners. Keep doing what you’re doing. It’s a gift to know people like that.”
This home is more than just a structure—it’s a symbol of faith, resilience, and community love. For the Turner family, it’s the answered prayer that opens a new chapter of stability, joy, and belonging—proving once again that everyone deserves a place to call home.