TROY H. PALMER

Troy H. Palmer, age 79, of Donalsonville, GA, passed away Saturday morning, Dec. 14, 2024, at his residence.

 Funeral services for Mr. Palmer will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church Donalsonville, GA with Rev. Slade Alday and Rev. Michael Wingertsahn officiating and George Whittaker delivering the eulogy. Interment will follow in Friendship Memorial Gardens with Rev. Slade Morris and Don Dekle officiating and Jimmy Holt, George Whittaker, Marc Godby, Charles Hall, Brett Wilkinson, and Earl Prince serving as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be active and retired members of the Georgia State Patrol as well as Deacons of First Baptist Church Donalsonville. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at 1:00 PM at the church.

 Mr. Palmer was born on March 11, 1945 to Tobe and Marcell Palmer. He retired from the State of Georgia after thirty years of service, with the majority of that being spent with the Georgia State Patrol Post 14 in Donalsonville, GA as radio dispatcher. At the time of his retirement, Mr. Palmer was Chief Communications Officer. Mr. Palmer worked with the State Forestry Department for approximately six years before transferring to the Georgia State Patrol.

During his time with the Georgia State Patrol, Mr. Palmer had the opportunity to work the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, the Special Olympics on numerous occasions, as well as the Super Bowl when it was played in Atlanta. He was a member of the Seminole County Rescue/Volunteer Firefighters and played a large part in helping bring the first rodeo to Seminole County many years ago. Many young people in the Seminole County area have been able to earn their Hunter Safety certificate under his instruction, as well as having him as one of the coaches for a number of years for the Seminole County 4-H Shotgun Team. He was also active in Cub Scouts, being a Den Master for at least 10 years. Mr. Palmer was an active member of First Baptist Church Donalsonville, having served as Deacon, RA Director, Men’s Ministry Director, Sunday School Secretary, and member of the choir. Not only did he serve his church as RA Director, but at one point in time he served as the Bowen Baptist Association RA Director as well. His willingness to serve has been a great blessing to this community and his church.

 He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 50 years, Gail Palmer; his children, Vince Sumrall and his wife Carol, David Sumrall, Nikki Nixon and her husband William, and Cindy Homberger and her husband Brian; his grandchildren, Emili Turnage, Olivia Williams and her husband Ronny, Hunter Nixon, Lillie Sumrall, Luke Sumrall, Trent Cannon, Sara Cannon, Kyle Homberger and Tyler Homberger; and his great granddaughter, Adysen Turnage. Also surviving are his brothers, Paul Palmer and wife Sue and Bobby Palmer and wife Carol; as well as his sister, Kathi Palmer. Numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces also survive.

 Mr. Palmer was preceded in death by his parents, Tobe and Marcell Palmer and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Thomas and Joyce Morris.