Patricia Jo Palmer

Patricia (Pat, Patty) passed away peacefully April 3, 2026 on Good Friday in Palm Bay, Florida at the age of 83. She will lovingly be remembered by her 4 children- Samuel Priester, Cynthia Priester, Crystal Erwin and Anngelica Priester – and her cherished grandchildren and great–grandchildren. Patty is also survived by her sisters Carolyn Tolley, Judy Grega, Alicia Richards, and her brother Merlyn (Buck) Smith.

Patricia was born in Fairmont, West Virginia and spent most of her time in West Virginia towns including Idamay, Farmington, Fairmont and Boothsville, before moving to the Space Coast of Florida to be closer to her family of grown children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her father, Joseph A. Smith; her mother, Theresa A. Smith (Miller); her husband, Charles F. Priester Jr; and her former husband, James H. Palmer.

Patricia had a passion for cooking and spent some time cooking professionally but mostly cooked for her family. She loved taking road trips and had a special appreciation for flowers, finding happiness in planting and tending to her flower gardens. She also enjoyed playing card games, bingo and really enjoyed live music.

Despite enduring a tremendous amount of pain and suffering throughout her life, she persevered and looked for the light at the end of the tunnel, the sunshine through the rain and always believed there was something better waiting on the other side. She found comfort in believing her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would see her through those times and one day call her home. Her faith and deep love for Jesus were evident in her final years, serving as a reminder to her family. She is now with Jesus in her heavenly home, no more sorrow, no more pain.

The family is especially grateful to the caregivers at William Childs Hospice House in Palm Bay, Florida, for their compassion, gentleness and guidance provided Patricia during her last days here on earth.

John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”

The family encourages donations to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), a Church of your choice, or your local Humane society (www.humaneworld.org, www.americanhumane.org), to honor the memory of Patricia Jo Palmer.