Barbara Grace Palmour

Barbara Grace Palmour, 89, of Raleigh died peacefully Tuesday, December 22, 2020. She was born September 14, 1931 in Atlanta, GA; daughter of the late T. Blalock Grace and Sarah Williams Story. She is also preceded in death by her beloved husband Hayne Palmour III.

Barbara graduated from North Fulton High School in Atlanta in 1948. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Agnes Scott College (Decatur, GA) in 1952. During her 32 years of teaching at the St. Michael’s Kindergarten and Preschool, Barbara fostered the early education of many Raleigh children. In testament to her valued teaching skills, her classrooms often included, at parents’ request, the younger siblings of her “graduates” and, eventually, some second-generation preschoolers, the children of her former students.

Barbara and Hayne made Raleigh their home for 63 years, always active in church and community life. For most of those years, Barbara sang in the St. Michael’s Episcopal Church Choir. She also served for several years as Assistant with the St. Michael’s All Angel’s Children’s Choir. After retiring, the Palmours further pursued their keen interests in art, architecture and history through frequent travel abroad.

Barbara’s creative, gentle and nurturing spirit graced her classroom and home. Her artistic, caring touch was reflected in her inventive activities for students, in her own paintings adorning her house, and in the abundant flowers blossoming in her yard. Her festively decorated Christmas cookies annually delighted her children, her grandchildren, and now her great granddaughters who carry on the tradition. Drawing on her unique talents, Barbara imbued family life with beauty, laughter, welcoming hospitality and a sustaining love.

The family is grateful to Sunrise of Cary, Barbara’s supportive home for her final four years, and Transitions LifeCare for their excellent and sensitive care.

Surviving are her daughter, June Palmour Trevor (Grant) of Marshall; sons, Hayne Palmour IV of Encinitas, CA and John Williams Palmour (Nancy) of Cary. Barbara will be missed by her six grandchildren, Ross and Daniel Trevor, Claire Trevor Tau, Chris, Rachel and Ethan Palmour; her two great granddaughters, Adilein and Anya Tau; her cousin Pamela Williams Willis, her niece and nephew Jan Harriman Taylor and Gurutej Khalsa; and numerous grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins. A memorial service will be held when gathering is safe again.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, 1001 Blair Drive, Suite 120, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.