Funeral services for Joe Douglas Palmer were held at the Rose-Neath Mansfield Chapel on Friday, June 14, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Russ LaFleur officiating. Family received friends at the funeral home for visitation Thursday, June 13, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Joe was born January 24, 1942 in Logan, Texas to Chester Clarence Palmer and Mary Josephine Wimberly Palmer and entered into rest on June 9, 2019 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Benita Barbara Cliff, Kitty Maryann Matheny, and Cheryl Darlene Palmer.
Mr. Palmer bravely served our country in the armed forces of the United States Army as a Civil Affairs Technical Specialist and was drafted after college. He attended college at Northwestern State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education and went on to attend Louisiana State University Shreveport where he earned his master’s degree in education and plus 30. Some of his hobbies include rabbit hunting with his beagles, breeding and raising chihuahuas. He also enjoyed fishing, camping, and being outside in nature.
Mr. Palmer was a dedicated and beloved teacher, coach, and principal for 36 years beginning his career in Caddo Parish and ending with retirement from DeSoto Parish. After his retirement from the education system Mr. Palmer was the song leader at Graceway Baptist Church. Later he felt a calling to become a deacon at Carmel Baptist Church where he served as an ordained deacon to the congregation and community. While ministering at the church he brought the church up to code and built a playground area at the church for the youth. In addition, he enjoyed visiting with the sick, the elderly, and the shutins of the area.
Those left behind to cherish his memory are his loving and supportive wife of 53 years, Lynda Pierce Palmer of Carmel, Louisiana; son, Joe Logan Matheny of Carmel, Louisiana; daughters, Hope Rascoe and husband, Clint of Converse, Louisiana, and Heather Palmer of Carmel, Louisiana; sister, Janice Palmer Vazquez of Logansport, Louisiana; grandchildren, Lindsey Rascoe and Bailey Rascoe; and several nieces and nephews.
Honoring Mr. Palmer as pallbearers will be Clint Rascoe, Shane Tingle, Joe Logan Matheny, Wayne Wimberly, Woody Hudson, and Jordan James.