Harold David Palmer

January 12, 1942 - March 5, 2019

Harold David Palmer, age 77, of Salem, Va. went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at his home. He was born on Monday, January 12, 1942, to the late, John Vernon Palmer and Sarah Myrtle Yopp Palmer. Harold was born and raised in Montgomery County. He moved to Salem; married and lived the rest of his life. He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Donna (Caldwell) Palmer. Harold retired from Roanoke County after 27 years of service as a truck driver. He loved to make people laugh, and he was always ready with a joke! He never met a stranger. Harold was always eager to talk to someone, and ready and willing to help someone in need. Harold accepted Christ as his savior in 1983. He joined Southside Baptist Church and attended faithfully until the Parkinson’s disease took its toll on him. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by brothers, Paul, Arnold, Robert, and Clarence Albert Palmer; sisters, Rachel, Pauline, Roxie, Reba, and Dorothy.
Those left to cherish his memory in addition to his wife include his daughter, Cathy Lynn Joyner who was his pride and joy and her husband, David; sister Ruby Best and husband, Ronnie; very special brother-in-law, Delmas Caldwell and his wife, Grace who was Harold’s niece; sisters-in-law, Wanda Caldwell, Linda Bandy and husband, Lake, Janet Baysden and husband, Michael; special friends, Dickie and Shirley Shepheard; many nieces, nephews and special cousins also survive.
A funeral service to celebrate his home going will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2019, at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home with Brother Eugene Mills officiating. Burial will follow at the Galilee Cemetery on Cove Hollow Road in Elliston, Va.
Friends may visit with the family from 2 - 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2019, at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Syed Haider, New Century Hospice, Donna May, Heather Stover for their wonderful care and chaplain Jay Smith for his encouragement and prayers.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/, the American Parkinson’s Disease Association: https://www.apdaparkinson.org/, or the New Century Hospice: https://www.curohealthservices.com/donate.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnmoakey.com.