Sydalia Palmer

A limb has fallen from the family tree: I keep hearing a voice that says, “Grieve not for me.” Remember the best times, the laughter, and the song. The good life I lived while I was strong. Continue my heritage. I’m counting on each of you. Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.

Joyce Sydalia Rogers Palmer was born at 1:09 am on May 23, 1940 at the home on the family farm in the Theo community to wonderful Christian parents Felix (Feak) Lonzo Rogers and Mary Crabb Rogers.

She grew up poor, but always smiled when talking about her childhood. Instead of hardship she spoke of love, laughter, and beautiful memories.

She was married to Jerry David Palmer on October 19, 1965 at the home of their dear friends Kathryn and Harold Childs.

She was a 1957 graduate of Alcorn Agriculture High School (now Kossuth). As she came of age, she worked her first job as a temporary at Sears Roebuck & Company during Christmas. Next was I.T.T. until the birth of her son. Then she worked at the Credit Bureau of Corinth, Commercial Credit Corp. and retired as secretary at Foote Street church of Christ.

She had a heart for the underdog and gave generously to several charitable organizations over the years.

She loved to travel and made great memories from trips with different groups. She made many bus trips to about 30 different states — from Annapolis, Maryland to Albuquerque, New Mexico and from British Columbia to points in Florida with Branson, Missouri and Washington D.C. being her favorite. She was able to tour the White House before tours were stopped. She loved music and history. She and Terry Smith planned trips for the Primetimers group from church for several years to the Smokey Mountains, Nashville, TN and Mobile, AL.

She helped take care of her mother, two sisters, and her husband during their illness.

She lived in Alcorn County all her life until the death of her husband. In 2016, she moved to Starkville (go Dawgs) to be near her son and family.

It was very enjoyable for her to be near her grandchildren. She attended events they were in as long as she was able. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. They always put a smile on her face when they came around. She loved having them spend the night with “Mimi.”

She was a member of the Starkville church of Christ.

She passed away in West Point, MS, at 1:20 am on December 5, 2023. She and her family are thankful for all the nurses and staff there, including Dr. Glisson who provided wonderful care and compassion in her last days and allowed her to visit her family and friends and eat whatever she wanted. Your kindness and support will always be remembered.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Feak and Mary Rogers, grandparents Doc and Rachel Bell Rogers, O’Leavy Burns, Richard Crabb, her beloved step grandfather Harrison Whitted, sisters and brother in-laws Syble and Gilbert Dellinger and Sarah and Roger Day, and sister in-law Madie Rogers.

She is survived by her beloved family including her brother Curtis Rogers, nieces and nephews, Roger Jones, Kim and Glen Adcock, Brandon Day and Abby and Nathan Hopkins as well as her grandchildren Carissa Ann, Savannah Rose, Josiah David and Sadie Jo, her son and daughter in-law, Todd and Cassandra Palmer, her stepson Keith Palmer and the Palmer nieces and nephews. She wanted to share a big thanks to the Palmer family members who were so good to her and Jerry. She said, “You all are a part of my family, and I loved you all.”

Visitation will be at the Foote St. Church of Christ on Friday, December 8th from 11am-1 pm with the service at 1 pm and conducted by Terry Smith. In lieu of flowers, she requested donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital saying that “flowers only last a short time but a contribution to St. Jude can help a child live.”

Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.