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Submitted: 7/28/22 • Approved: 7/28/22 • Last Updated: 7/31/22 • R528146-G528145-S3
Mary V. Avis Palmer
1863-1943
Mary hath chosen that good part, which could not be taken away from her
*Photo, courtesy of Mary (Coggin) Russell
*Obituary
One of the last of the true pioneers of Hereford and Deaf Smith County passed away on Sunday, with the death of Mrs. Mary Palmer, 80 years old, and a resident of Deaf Smith County since 1899.
On Friday, Nov. 5, Mrs. Palmer fell and broke her hip, and she was unable to rally from the operation necessary to set the broken bone.
Widow of the late T.M. Palmer, cattleman, lumber dealer and banker, Mrs. Palmer was a native Texas, born in Montague on July 16, 1863. She moved to Wichita Falls soon after marriage to Mr. Palmer in 1888 and the Palmers' and their three children came to Deaf Smith County in 1899. They originally bought a section on 25 Mile Avenue, about 7 1/2 miles north of Hereford; and a year later moved to the home place now known as the R.R. Jackson place on 25 Mile Avenue. They later filed on 16 sections of government land and in 1906 the family moved to Hereford. Mr. Palmer died here in 1926.
Mrs. Palmer was a charter member of the Hereford Presbyterian Church and throughout her life took an active part in many phases of church work. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and held one of the longest membership records in the Hereford lodge.
When she celebrated her 80th birthday this summer, Mrs. Palmer greeted more than 300 friends at a reception held in her honor. Throughout the years her home has been a favored meeting place for friends, and her warm-hearted, generous nature found expression in the many friendships which were such an important part of her life. She kept her sense of humor, her interest in all phases of current affairs and a bright and hopeful disposition. Her interest in civic and church affairs was characterized by generosity.
No dry-as-dust story teller, Mrs. Palmer could recall a whole cavalcade of Texas and Panhandle history. And her stories were almost sure to be brightened with the small, human details which make such reminiscense [sic] interesting. She remembered the days when the houses in Hereford "could be counted on your hand," the time when the antelope really did roam - clear up to the Palmer corrals,where they licked salt with the cattle. She remembered the old family surrey, which was a very stylish turnout in its day, and the Metz automobile which took its place in 1912 and was the second automobile in Deaf Smith County. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer always attended the cowboy reunions in Canyon and Mrs. Palmer retained a consistent interest in swapping memories of the early days with other pioneer residents of this territory.
One daughter, Mrs. Joe Baker, died several years ago, and other survivors are a son, Walter Palmer of Wichita Falls, a daughter, Mrs. E.H. Norton of Hereford, a grandson, Palmer Norton of the U.S. Maritime Service, and a sister, Mrs. Belle Hodges of Wichita Falls.
Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at the Presbyterian Church with the Rev. James Aiken, Jr., assisted by the Rev. J.R. Sharp of Canyon, in charge of the rites. Burial was in West Park Cemetery and graveside rites were conducted by the Order of the Eastern Star.
Pallbearers were D.H. Alexander, C.C. Acker, Miles Roberson, Elmer Dameron, J.A. Pitman and John McLean.
Honorary pallbearers named were George LeGrand, Fred Oberthier, W.J. Stanford, Horace Baird, N.E. Gass, Wallace Cox, George Beams, C.J. Paddock, Frank Givan, F.T. Roloson and Wilson Gyles.
Friends and relatives (in addition to the immediate survivors) present for the funeral yesterday were Mr. and Mrs. Sam Callaway and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Callaway of Tulia; Mrs. Una Hutcheons and daughter Helen and Claud Norton of Amarillo and C.T. Kibbe of Portales, N.M.
(Published in The Hereford Brand, 43rd Year-Number 46, Hereford, Thursday, November 18, 1943, Page 1,12)
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Texas, U.S., Select County Marriage Index, 1837-1965
Name: Mary Avis
Gender: Female
Marriage Date: 1883
Marriage Place: Montague, Texas, United States
Spouse: T. M. Palmer
FHL Film Number: 1024888
Texas, Death Certificates, 1903-1982
Name: Mary Victoria Palmer
[Mary Victoria Avis]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age: 80
Birth Date: 16 Jul 1863
Birth Place: Texas
Residence: Hereford, Deaf Smith, Texas, USA
Death Date: 14 Nov 1943
Death Place: Hereford, Deaf Smith, Texas, USA
Father: Daniel Avis
Mother: Martha Webb
Contributed on 7/28/22 by neldapat
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Record #: 528146