Annabeth Palacios

Annabeth (Anna Elizabeth Sorg) Palacios passed away in the early morning of January 18, 2026. She was just shy of 87 years old. Born in Pocahontas, Arkansas on January 26, 1939, Annabeth was the eldest of five girls. Her father was a farmer at the time and her mother, a home-maker and a seamstress. Erma Sorg encouraged her children to read and to learn, and she set the example by teaching literacy to adults in their rural community. Both parents possessed strong faith in God and dedication to the church and this influence could be seen in Annabeth throughout her life.

To family and friends who knew her, Annabeth was kind and generous with everything she had. She lived her life in the knowledge that we are only here for a short time and she felt it was her duty to care for others.

She lived comfortably but within her means. Whatever extra she had she shared with family members. Over the years, several found themselves welcomed back to her home, where they were loved and supported for as long as was needed.

Annabeth’s responsibility for others extended well beyond the family. She was concerned with the plight of refugees and at one point, with her church, supported a family who came here from southeast Asia. For many years she sponsored a woman of her own age living in Mexico, as well as several children in other countries. Exchange students from Singapore and El Salvador became lifelong contacts. People visiting Fresno could be treated to trips to the mountains, to the coast, even to Disneyland. Many people have been touched by Annabeth’s altruism.

Annabeth was active in the Catholic Church and was blessed with many friendships she formed in the St. Paul Newman Center community, having attended with her family since her arrival to Fresno the early 1960’s when it was founded. She encouraged her children to volunteer alongside her at events such as the Renaissance Festival, the feeding of casseroles to hungry college students on Wednesday evenings, and the setting out of coffee and donuts on Sundays after mass. You could find her decorating the chapel for Christmas or putting out pictures for the Feast of All Souls. In recent years she has continued her duty of counting the collection monies on Monday mornings. Annabeth will be dearly missed by many.

Annabeth gained her degree at Fresno State and then her Medical Technology license. She worked for over 25 years at the VA Hospital lab in Fresno and in Fort Defiance, Arizona, ending her career as the lab supervisor. She was then able to enjoy two summers working at Yellowstone National Park, which she loved.

Annabeth enjoyed travel and she and her family drove various VW buses from California to Illinois to visit relatives, camping in a tent and seeing every National Park and point of interest along the way. She eventually visited every state in the country, taking her parents to Hawaii, as well as driving through Canada and Mexico. She was able to visit Europe, particularly Spain and France, as well as Scandinavia and a solo trip to Ireland with Road Scholars at the age of 75.

Annabeth loved to read. She would bring great stacks of books from the downtown library, polish them off and return for more. She volunteered many hours at the Politi branch of the library, particularly at its annual book sale fundraiser. She knew all the facts for Jeopardy and would amaze family, who wondered why she never went on the show. At the end of her life, her memory was slipping and it was a hardship for her. We know she is in the hands of God now and much happier.

Annabeth is predeceased by her devoted husband of 42 years, Robert (Bob) Palacios and by her parents, Louis and Erma Sorg. She is lovingly remembered by her children, Stephanie Ducharme, Robert Harris, Kirsten Ransbury, Robert (Bob) Palacios, and Tim Palacios, and their families. Predeceased are her daughter Patricia and grandson Patrick. She was blessed with eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren whom she dearly loved. She leaves behind her four sisters, Elaine Olson, Elsie Degrave, Hilda Johnson and Stasia Statum. May all who have gone before her celebrate together as they wait for the rest of us to join them.

Family and friends are invited to view Annabeth’s legacy at www.whitehurstsullivan.com and to share their remembrances and condolences.

To honor Annabeth, please consider a donation to Catholic Charities or to the Cancer Federation.