Mr. James Willis Palmer, Sr. age 90 of Adrian passed away peacefully on Monday evening, March 22, 2021 at Dublinaire Health and Rehabilitation Center in Dublin.

Born in Soperton, he was the last living of eight children born in his family.  He grew up in Treutlen County where he graduated from high school before attending Brewton Parker College in Mt. Vernon.  After college he served in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict.  Upon being honorably discharged he returned home and accepted a position with Derst / Sunbeam Baking Company where he worked as a Supervisor of route sales and distribution.  Always an Entrepreneur at heart; in the 1970s he started Palmer Construction which he and his wife, Avis Morris Palmer, owned and operated primarily in Dublin until the mid 1980s.  During their time as business owners, they also owned and operated several convenience stores in Dublin and East Dublin.  Upon retiring in the late 1990s they resided in Pine Mountain and Hiawassee, GA until returning to Adrian.

The Palmers were former members of the Jefferson Street Baptist in Dublin, Cornerstone Baptist Church in Ellerslie and had attended Adrian Baptist Church after settling there.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of sixty one years, Avis Morris Palmer who passed away 2013.

Mr. Palmer leaves behind his children, Pam Bazemore (Wayne), Midland, GA, Jim Palmer, North Augusta, SC, three grandchildren, James Kelly Bazemore (Jenny), Marietta, GA, Kristy Bazemore Johnson, Midland, GA, Haley Palmer Wates (Dalton), North Augusta, SC, three great grandchildren, Chase Johnson, Grey Bazemore, Jack Bazemore and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for his family will be conducted from the graveside in Poplar Springs United Methodist Church Cemetery, Adrian as he is laid to rest beside his wife.

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SAMMONS FUNERAL HOME, The Tradition Since 1917, Soperton, Georgia