Vernon Palmer, 92, of Dermott, Arkansas peacefully left this earth on December 19, 2013 to be with his Lord Jesus Christ. Sadly in recent years he suffered from Alzheimer’s but never failed to express his love for his family and God until the very end.
He was born May 19, 1921 in Damascus, Arkansas and moved to Dermott when he was a child where he grew up, married and raised a family.
In Dermott he was a successful farmer until retirement, a Deacon and Sunday School teacher in the Missionary Baptist Church and respected member of the Dermott community. He raised his children to love God and family, and strive to be the best they could be. He was always loving, hardworking and honest. He loved to play the piano and could play hymns even when he could not remember the words he had known so well.
His family thought he could make the best BBQ in the world. He would stand over the pit for hours to cook for the entire family. He loved the times that all his kids and families could get together and share stories and make new memories.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Nettie Palmer of Dermott, Arkansas; his brother, QT Palmer of Daytona, Florida; grandson, Eric Johnson of Longview, Texas and his eldest son, Billy Palmer of Longview, Texas.
He is survived by his daughters, Norma Pierson and husband Don of White Hall, AR, Jenny Johnson and husband Chester of Longview, TX, Reyne Merrell and husband Rick of Longview TX; sons, Ronnie Palmer and wife Siusan of Warsaw, Ohio and John Palmer and wife Karen of Prattville, AL. He had 13 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren
Visitation will be at 1:00 PM Saturday, December 21, 2013 at Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service in McGehee, Arkansas with funeral services following at 2:00 PM. Burial will be at Dermott Cemetery, Dermott, AR. On-line guest book may be signed at www.griffinculpepper.com