She was born in Stroud, Oklahoma on August 8, 1936, daughter of the late Orville W. Rogers and Evelyn Rogers Hudson. At a young age, her family moved to Houston, Texas and attended Emmanuel Baptist Church. As a high school student, her family moved across town and joined Spring Branch Baptist Church where she met the love of her life, Stephen Palmer. Upon graduation from Spring Branch High School, she moved to Waco, Texas to attend Baylor University for two years. During her time in Waco, she continued to correspond with her love and moved back to Houston. On June 9, 1956, Marlene and Stephen were married in a double wedding with her sister Loretta and Ralph Rollins. Making Houston her home, Marlene worked in accounting in the oilfield industry for 37 years. On January 5, 1974, Marlene and Stephen welcomed into their family, their daughter, Gail Lynn Palmer. After retiring in 1993, Marlene relocated to Spring, Texas where she enjoyed cross-stitching, traveling (especially cruises with her friends and family) and was a member of Gateway Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband Stephen Palmer; mother Evelyn Hudson; father Orville Rogers, sister Loretta Rollins; nephew Greg Rollins; and brother-in-law James Palmer. She is survived by daughter Gail Palmer; sister Pat Swigert; sister-in-laws Doris Hickman and Fay Bertani; brother-in-law Billy Palmer; and numerous nieces and nephews.
