Jo Etta Palmer

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, on May 7, 1940, JoEtta moved with her family to Pompano Beach, Florida, in the 1950s after they sold their die-casting business and JoKaBar Farm. After graduating from Pompano Beach High School, JoEtta was working at the team physician’s office when she met a young coach named Willard “Dub” Palmer. That meeting sparked a lifelong partnership. The two later married and followed Dub’s high school football coaching career across Florida, living in Eau Gallie, Eustis, Wildwood and finally Brooksville.

Friday nights were a family affair for JoEtta. She orchestrated post-game film sessions, hosted coaches and their families, and made everyone feel welcome and at home. This, along with her famous homemade pregame pancake meal, made JoEtta the team’s unofficial MVP. She worked for both Hernando County and Pasco County schools before retiring.

In retirement, JoEtta became a college football enthusiast and rarely missed an episode of College GameDay. She embraced social media with flair, often posting her honest thoughts for all to see and perhaps single-handedly lowering Fox News’ viewership with her recent absence. She loved a good margarita, a long game of solitaire and FaceTiming her grandchildren, who were her pride and joy.

At the heart of her home was her cooking. JoEtta’s recipes, from comfort food classics to holiday traditions, were served with love and have become a legacy passed down to her children and grandchildren. Her kitchen was always open, and there was always room for one more at the table.

JoEtta lived her life grounded in faith. She was a lifelong Christian who modeled kindness, humility and strength. Her favorite Bible verse was Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Her favorite hymns included Just As I Am, How Great Thou Art, and His Eye Is on the Sparrow, which she sang often and held close to her heart.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dub; her parents, Arthur and Edna Fullerton; and her sister, Barbara. She leaves behind her son, John (Amy) Palmer of Newberry; her daughter, Mary (Jeff) Eberhardt of Heathrow; her sister, Karen Shimko of Jacksonville; and her grandchildren, Morgan (Austin) Hamilton, Madison (fiancé Garrett) Eberhardt, Jeffrey Eberhardt, and Mallie Eberhardt. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends several of whom were able to spend time with her in her final days. Their visits brought her comfort, joy and laughter, as they had throughout her life.

A Committal Service will be held at 11:00am, Friday, June 27, 2025 at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Haven Foundation at https://havenhospice.com/donate, whose team, along with Trustwell Living at Hunters Crossing in Gainesville, Florida, cared for JoEtta with compassion in her final days.

JoEtta’s kindness, humor, and fierce love for her family will be remembered always.