Mary Genevieve Gilbert Palmer passed on to her eternal home on March 9, 2010 at her home in Del Rio, Texas at the age of 85. She graduated from DRHS in 1942. She was born November 29, 1924 at Ft. Clark, Texas to Fred Gilbert Sr. and Margaret Genevieve Fairchild Gilbert. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dow E. Palmer Sr. in 1981. She was also preceded by her brothers Fred Gilbert Jr. and Robert L. Gilbert.
She is survived by Robin Palmer of Del Rio and Ed Palmer and his wife Deb, two granddaughters Angela Palmer and Elizabeth Smith and her husband, Edgar, and one great-granddaughter Kairi Elizabeth Smith, all of Dripping Springs, TX. She is also survived by her sister, Anna Schafer and husband Martin, of El Paso, TX as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
As long as she was able, she was a very active member of the First United Methodist Church since 1935. She also was an active volunteer for the PTA, March of Dimes, Heart Association, TB Association, Cub and Boy Scouts, Girls' Softball, band boosters, and other organizations. She was named as a Texas Merit Mother in 1974 and was named Notable Woman of Del Rio for 1983 by the University Women of Del Rio. In 1981, a research grant was presented by the Heart Association in her name. She was the driving force behind getting a school in Del Rio named for longtime educator Marion Russell. She was a graduate of Del Rio High School, class of 1942.
Visitations will be Friday, 6-9:00P.M, March 12, 2010 at G. W. Cox Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral service will be on Saturday, 2:00P.M, March 13, 2010 at the First Methodist Church with Reverend Richard Young presiding. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Oaks Cemetery.
In lieu of usual remembrances donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Del Rio.
Funeral arrangements with G. W. Cox Memorial Funeral Home, of Del Rio LTD, 114 Fletcher Drive, Del Rio, Texas. 78840 Ph: 830.775.2000