Obituary for Deacon Rufus Edward Palmer
Rufus Edward "Edlo" Palmer was born in Macon North Carolina on June 19th, 1931 to Thomas and Mary Palmer. Rufus went home to be with Lord Friday morning on March 19th, 2021. He was the fifth of eight surviving children (two other siblings died as children: an infant girl and a five-year old boy). He grew up on a farm without electricity or indoor plumbing while growing cotton and tobacco. The family spring on the property was the only water source.
Rufus and his siblings attended One County High School, which was a segregated high school. After graduating from high school, he was offered a college scholarship. Unfortunately, he couldn’t accept it because his father couldn’t afford the additional costs required. He also attended a radio and tv repair school before going to US Army.
Rufus moved to New York City. Shortly after, he was inducted into the US Army on October 13, 1952. While in NYC, he attended the South Carolina State College dance where he met Nora Mae Hunter, who was a student. They were engaged before he was deployed to Würzburg, Germany where he was part of the occupational forces. He was stationed in Würzburg, Germany. During his 19 months, he was promoted to Private First Class and returned to NYC in August 1954. During his 19-month stay in Germany, Rufus wrote his future wife every day, sometimes twice a day. She still has many of the letters.
On February 21, 1956, Rufus and Nora married. Following their marriage, the newlyweds lived in downtown Manhattan for a few years before moving their family to Jamaica, Queens. Rufus and Nora joined Calvary Baptist Church and numerous other community and neighborhood organizations. Both Rufus and Nora became strong members within Calvary holding various positions, Deacon & Deaconess, Vice Chairman & Secretary of Board of Trustees/President North Carolina Club, Sunday School bus driving and many more. Rufus and Nora introduced the importance of The Word of GOD to their two sons.
Rufus loved all kinds of sports including baseball, football, and of course, he was a champion bowler. While attending Calvary Rufus was an advent bowler and joined the Calvary bowling team. He scored a perfect game on several occasions. Rufus and Wayne bowled together many times. Wayne won maybe one game. He also enjoyed attending the MET’s baseball games with Sterling and Hannibal.
Rufus and Nora traveled the world visiting many places including Hawaii, Europe, England, Paris, Africa, Antiqua, the Caribbean, and almost all the fifty states within the US.
Rufus was recognized with many awards and Proclamations; NY State House of Representatives, 2006; State of NY Legislative Senate Resolution 2006; The Assembly State of New York 2006 60 years of Marriage 2016; The York College Community Commemorative Quilt Committee 2001. In addition, he won numerous bowling awards; Rosendale Lanes 1st place, Calvary Mixed Doubles 2nd Place 93-94 and many more.
Rufus lived his life with dignity and genuine grace, always demonstrating deep and continued human values and ideals for other people. He shared his love, devotion, caring, sensitivity, dedication, and responsiveness to his family, friends, and all who know his hallmark and traditions. These same values were passed on to his loved ones, creating a close-knit family.
Rufus and Nora are the proud parents of Sterling, and his wife, Hakeema, and the loving grandparents of their children, Donovan, Hannibal, and Syreeta, and Wayne, and his wife Cynthia, and the loving grandparents of Julien, Kayla, and great-grandson Jeremiah.
Seven of Rufus’s siblings, Sally, John Henry Jr., Thomas Lee, Adam, William “Bro” and the two children previous mentioned preceded him in entering Heaven where he has now joined them. Rufus is survived by his loving wife, Nora, sons and family; Sisters, Fannie Clarke and Polly Jack; and countless loving friends.
Lovingly Submitted
The Family
Rufus and his siblings attended One County High School, which was a segregated high school. After graduating from high school, he was offered a college scholarship. Unfortunately, he couldn’t accept it because his father couldn’t afford the additional costs required. He also attended a radio and tv repair school before going to US Army.
Rufus moved to New York City. Shortly after, he was inducted into the US Army on October 13, 1952. While in NYC, he attended the South Carolina State College dance where he met Nora Mae Hunter, who was a student. They were engaged before he was deployed to Würzburg, Germany where he was part of the occupational forces. He was stationed in Würzburg, Germany. During his 19 months, he was promoted to Private First Class and returned to NYC in August 1954. During his 19-month stay in Germany, Rufus wrote his future wife every day, sometimes twice a day. She still has many of the letters.
On February 21, 1956, Rufus and Nora married. Following their marriage, the newlyweds lived in downtown Manhattan for a few years before moving their family to Jamaica, Queens. Rufus and Nora joined Calvary Baptist Church and numerous other community and neighborhood organizations. Both Rufus and Nora became strong members within Calvary holding various positions, Deacon & Deaconess, Vice Chairman & Secretary of Board of Trustees/President North Carolina Club, Sunday School bus driving and many more. Rufus and Nora introduced the importance of The Word of GOD to their two sons.
Rufus loved all kinds of sports including baseball, football, and of course, he was a champion bowler. While attending Calvary Rufus was an advent bowler and joined the Calvary bowling team. He scored a perfect game on several occasions. Rufus and Wayne bowled together many times. Wayne won maybe one game. He also enjoyed attending the MET’s baseball games with Sterling and Hannibal.
Rufus and Nora traveled the world visiting many places including Hawaii, Europe, England, Paris, Africa, Antiqua, the Caribbean, and almost all the fifty states within the US.
Rufus was recognized with many awards and Proclamations; NY State House of Representatives, 2006; State of NY Legislative Senate Resolution 2006; The Assembly State of New York 2006 60 years of Marriage 2016; The York College Community Commemorative Quilt Committee 2001. In addition, he won numerous bowling awards; Rosendale Lanes 1st place, Calvary Mixed Doubles 2nd Place 93-94 and many more.
Rufus lived his life with dignity and genuine grace, always demonstrating deep and continued human values and ideals for other people. He shared his love, devotion, caring, sensitivity, dedication, and responsiveness to his family, friends, and all who know his hallmark and traditions. These same values were passed on to his loved ones, creating a close-knit family.
Rufus and Nora are the proud parents of Sterling, and his wife, Hakeema, and the loving grandparents of their children, Donovan, Hannibal, and Syreeta, and Wayne, and his wife Cynthia, and the loving grandparents of Julien, Kayla, and great-grandson Jeremiah.
Seven of Rufus’s siblings, Sally, John Henry Jr., Thomas Lee, Adam, William “Bro” and the two children previous mentioned preceded him in entering Heaven where he has now joined them. Rufus is survived by his loving wife, Nora, sons and family; Sisters, Fannie Clarke and Polly Jack; and countless loving friends.
Lovingly Submitted
The Family