Ms. Rebecca Ann Palmer

Rebecca “Becky” Ann Whitson Palmer was born on June 20, 1927, the daughter of James Samuel Whitson and Ann March in Milford, Ellis County, Texas. She attended and graduated from Milford High School in 1945. While a student she played basketball, served as school mascot, and cheerleader. She briefly attended Texas Women’s University and made fast friends with many of the young women in her class. Spurred by the entry and lasting placement of women in the workforce following World War II, Becky left college to pursue an adventure of living in the big city, Dallas. As a small child Becky accompanied her cotton-broker father on frequent trips from Milford throughout the South and West.

Becky found work at Southwest Life Insurance and served the company for ten years. In November 1954 she married Ollie Henry Mitchell, Jr. of Dallas. Their marriage produced a son, Stephen Whitson Mitchell. The marriage was not successful and they divorced in 1978. She then married Oscar Lloyd Palmer remaining together until his death in 1996. During their marriage they lived in Hot Springs, AK and San Diego, until finally settling in North Richland Hills bringing them closer to her son and grandchildren.

Becky was a lifelong Southern Baptist. She attended Milford Baptist, Wynnwood Baptist, and North Richland Hills Baptist Church. Her parents, her brothers, one an infant and her brother James March Whitson, his wife Mary Nell, and their son James Gary Whitson precede her in death. Her son Stephen, his wife, Patti and their children, Sarah and husband Stephen Getz of Los Angeles, Rebecca Katherine and husband Oskar Winqvist of San Francisco, Molly Mitchell of Fort Worth, and Oliver Henry Mitchell III of Los Angeles, survive her.