Mr. David Palmer

Services to celebrate the life of David Palmer, 90, will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church with burial to follow in Henry Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 12:00 PM until service time.

David Palmer, beloved Corinth businessman, passed away on Sunday December 18th, 2022 at the age of 90 following a brief illness. A devoted father, grandfather, and friend, he will be remembered for his warm smile, quick wit, knack for storytelling, and for his ever-ready firm handshake.

David was born on July 5, 1932, to Veva and Dave Palmer in Corinth and grew up in the same home on Fillmore Street where he spent the last years of his storied life. As a young man, he and his younger twin brothers, John and Jim, were known around Corinth for their hijinks and escapades, which David loved to reminisce about. He graduated from Corinth High School and attended the University of the South at Sewanee where he played football for two years. When his brothers enrolled at Ole Miss, he transferred to join them in Oxford. He graduated from Ole Miss with an Economics degree and was commissioned into the US Marine Corps. He married Grizelda Green (Gee Gee) in 1955, and they moved to Japan where he was stationed shortly after their wedding. The couple returned to Corinth in 1958, and David joined his father in the family business, Bell Coal Company (now Bell Liquified Gas Company.) He became the fifth generation to run the business that was founded in 1878. David took over as President of the company when his father died in 1966.

David was deeply and passionately involved in the Corinth community and with his church, First Presbyterian, where he served as a Deacon and Elder, along with chairing numerous church committees and projects. He was active in countless community organizations, serving as president of the Corinth Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Boys Club, YMCA, United Way, and Hillandale Country Club. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Corinth Municipal School District, Magnolia Hospital, and Commerce Bank, and served many years as a director of the National Bank of Commerce. David was honored as Corinth’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1996 and was named a Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow and received the club’s Lifetime Achievement Award. While President of the Chamber of Commerce, David was instrumental in recruiting the Hall Printing Company, renowned for printing National Geographic magazine, to Corinth. While serving on the Corinth School Board, he chaired the effort that successfully passed the 1992 bond issue that paved the way for the new Corinth High School to be built.
David was a rare individual with boundless energy and an unwavering desire to work for the betterment of Corinth. No matter what he was asked to do, he did it willingly to the best of his ability.

David loved young people and mentored many over the years. He helped with the Friendship Class at First Pres. and formed a friendship with one of the special needs young men in class with whom he had breakfast every Saturday morning for many years. He coached the Rotary Club little league baseball team and influenced hundreds of boys that remember him fondly to this day. When considering all of his accomplishments and accolades, nothing made him prouder than being “Big Daddy” to his 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He loved to attend their games, awards ceremonies, and anything else his grandchildren or great-grandchildren were involved in. He always wanted to hear every detail of their activities when he couldn’t be there in person. He delighted in attending sporting events and playing golf and took great pride showcasing his green thumb and working in his immaculate yard on Fillmore Street.

David is preceded in death by his first wife Gee Gee Palmer and his grandson Peyton Houchins. David is survived by his wife JoAnn Hopper Palmer whom he married in 2008; daughters Pamela Houchins (Larry) of Jackson, MS and Penny Long (Randy) of Corinth; son Pat Palmer (Nancy) of Corinth. Grandchildren Palmer Houchins (Cathryn) of Atlanta, GA; Laura Kate Carmichael (Colby) of Corinth; David Palmer (Caroline) of Jackson, MS; Dr. Ben Long (Allison) of Corinth; Claire Gatlin (John) of Tupelo, MS and 8 great grandchildren with the 9th on the way! He is also survived by his twin brothers Jim Palmer and John Palmer (Carol) of Jackson, MS and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Palmer Houchins, David Palmer, John Gatlin, Ben Long, Colby Carmichiel, Clark Carmichiel, Griffin Carmichiel, Jimmy Palmer and Braddock Brawner III. Honorary pallbearers are employees of Bell Gas Company and the Commerce Bank Board of Directors.

The family is extremely grateful for the kind loving and faithful care given to Mr. Palmer by the staff of Sanctuary Hospice House of Tupelo MS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Peyton’s House, c/o Mission First, Post Office Box 250, Jackson, MS 39205; First Presbyterian Church of Corinth; or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the care of Memorial Funeral Home.