Shirley Palmer Rader

Shirley Ninabelle Palmer was born March 18, 1926 in Caldwell County, NC to Lawrence N. Palmer, Sr. and Faye Land Crisp Palmer, with six siblings: Marjorie O’Neill, Edith Laws, Lawrence Jr., William C. (deceased), Michael H. and Carole Palmer. She graduated as valedictorian and class poet of the Class of 1942 at Collettsville High School.

Shirley married Alvin M. Rader, Jr. in 1946, and moved to Charlotte to raise their family of three boys: Steven P. Rader of Washington, NC (currently residing in Chisinau, Moldova), Douglas N. Rader of Raleigh, and Mark T. Rader of Raleigh. She was often featured in the Charlotte News and Charlotte Observer for her original birthday parties, ribbons won at flower shows, and role in scouting, church and community affairs.

In addition to her strong commitment to her family, Shirley was a longtime member of the Charlotte Writer’s Club, and widely published poet and author, with hundreds of published literary works. Few recognized her impressive productivity, since she published under a variety of noms de plume.

“Nina” (as she was known to grandchildren) is survived by husband, Alvin; sons, Steve and wife Victoria, Doug and wife Lissa, and Mark and wife Sue; grandchildren, Tudor (and wife Mariana) Rolinsky Rader; Chris (and wife Melissa), Megan, and Sarah Rader; Lora (and husband Michael) Hinton; and great grand children, Marian Rolinsky Rader, and Brody and Zach Hinton. She is also survived by her 107-year-old mother, Faye Crisp Palmer of Lenoir; brothers and sisters, as above; brother-in-law, Ronald Rader and wife, Geneva; uncle, Carl Fulbright of Gastonia; and aunt, Louise Fulbright Pannell of Richmond.

A memorial service will be held 1:00 p.m. Sunday, December 19th 2010 at Saint Stephens Lutheran Church in Lenoir, with private interment of ashes to follow at the Crisp-Palmer family cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to help establish a poetry prize in her honor at the Charlotte Writer’s Club, P.O. Box 220954, Charlotte, NC 28222, or to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

The family is deeply grateful to caregivers, family, friends and neighbors who helped make sure Shirley received the love and attention she required during her final illness.

Please visit the photo tribute at www.BrownWynne.com