Hollis Vestal Palmer Sr.

Hollis Vestal Palmer, Sr, passed away on Friday, June 3, 2011, at Wesley Long Hospital. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held Monday, June 6,at 3pm at First Lutheran Church, 3600 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC.

Vestal was born in Davidson County, NC, on November 16, 1911, and was the son of James Earl and Martha Hedrick Palmer. He graduated from Lexington High School.

In 1931, Vestal was named one of the top 22 high school football players in North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1932 to 1934. His love of Carolina football and basketball continued throughout his entire life.

In 1934, he was employed by Burlington Industries in office administration and management. Over the following years, he served at a number of plant locations throughout the southeast. He transferred with Burlington Industries to Harriman, TN, and was a Charter member instrumental in organizing the first Lions Club in Harriman. After moving to Asheboro, NC, he was active in scouting and in the Kiwanis Club. In 1968, he was transferred to the Greensboro headquarters of Burlington Industries as Manager of Administrative Services. Following his retirement from Burlington Industries in 1976, he worked part-time with Preferred Building Maintenance as an inspector.

While in Greensboro, Vestal was a member of First Lutheran Church and served as a member of the Church Council and of the Sunday usher group, secretary of the Sunday school and head of Mobile Meals for 12 years. He served on the board of directors for older adults for 8 years and was the liaison member for the “Adult Center for Enrichment.”

Vestal was also a charter member of the Hamilton Lakes Lions Club in Greensboro and had over 45 years of perfect attendance. In 1994, he received the Melvin Jones Fellowship award which is the highest award given by Lionism International for dedicated services. He also helped organize the Greensboro Chapter of the Association for Retarded Citizens and served as the first President.

His favorite hobbies were camping, playing bridge, working in the yard, dancing, repairing broken lawn mowers and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and Millicent Brittain Palmer, his loving wife of 54 years and their daughter, Mary Martha Palmer.

He is survived by his sons Vestal Palmer, Jr., and his special friend Judith Conover and her daughter, Laura Edwards; and James Franklin Palmer. Daughter, Patricia Palmer Morgan and her husband, William Finch Morgan. He is also

survived by six grandchildren: Chelsea Bradshaw Brown, Bill Bradshaw, Jr., Palmer Bradshaw, Drew Morgan, Christine. Palmer and Caelyn Palmer.

He will be remembered for his positive outlook on life, his charming and witty sense of humor, his service to his community, church, family and God.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ARC of Greensboro, 1000 Revolution Mill Dr, Studio 4, Greensboro, NC 27405.

On-line condolences may be sent to www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.