Dora Catherine Palmer

Dora Catherine Palmer, age 93, of Carterville, Illinois,  passed away peacefully at 12:23pm on Monday, July 25, 2022 at her home in Carterville, surrounded by her loving family.

Dora was born June 05, 1929 in Williamson County, Illinois, a daughter of James and Leona Catherine (Lorenze) Bayles. She married the love of her life, Joe Elbert Palmer on February 26, 1949 in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church of Herrin.  He preceded her in death on June 3, 2016. Together, they had shared sixty-seven years of marriage.

Mrs. Palmer was a member of the Herrin First Baptist Church, where she also served as a Sunday School teacher and nursery worker. Prior to her decision to retire and stay at home to raise her family, she had worked at Smoler Brothers in Herrin.  She enjoyed music and singing and loved reading her bible daily.  Spending time with her family was the thing she enjoyed most in life. Dora was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother and will be missed dearly by all those that knew and loved her.  

She is survived by ten children, Joseph Anthony (Susan) Palmer, Richard Allen (Janet) Palmer, Catherine Louise Wilkins, Mary Ann (Terry) Troutman, David Lee (Georgette) Palmer, Monica Lynn (Rev. Jeff) Pflug, Judge Phillip Gerard Palmer Sr., Rita Colette (Michael) Arnold, Brenda Jean (Dr. Mark, Jr.) Murfin, and Carol Yvonne (Michael Richard) Jones; twenty-five Grandchildren; and twenty-seven Great Grandchildren.  

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband- Joe Elbert Palmer, daughter-in-law- Bonnie (Fisher) Palmer, son-in-law Carl Eugene Wilkins, infant sister- Helen Bayles, sister- Margaret Bennett, twin sister- Dorothy Trapani, brother- James Bayles, brother- Robert Bayles, and sister- Virginia Smothers.

Visitation will be Saturday, July 30th, 2022 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the Herrin First Baptist Church. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, July 30, 2022, 1:00 PM at Herrin First Baptist Church with Rev. Mark Goldman officiating. Burial will follow at Herrin City Cemetery in Herrin. Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin is assisting the family with final arrangements. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Herrin First Baptist Church or the Shriner's Children Hospital.