Bobby Brenda Bridges Palmer, age 78, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. She was born in Grenada, Miss., on May 13, 1946, to Robert Austin Bridges and Tellie Cobb Bridges.
Brenda grew up and was educated in Grenada, graduating from John Rundle High School in May 1964. She enjoyed singing in the Glee Club and was an outstanding student in home economics and art classes.
Brenda then attended the Mississippi State College for Women in Columbus, where she earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Home Economics in 1968 and 1969, respectively. She was a member of the Dixie Belles Social Club.
Entering her career as a teacher at the high school level after graduation, Brenda also earned additional Double A Certificates in vocational education courses in Mississippi.
Very early in high school, Brenda found the love of her life, Jimmy Palmer, and they were devoted to each other for the next sixty-two years. After high school, undergraduate and graduate school, she and Jimmy married in Grenada in January 1969. They were married for the rest of her life, over 55 years.
Moving to Jackson in 1970, Brenda began teaching at Clinton High School. There, she established the Cooperative Education Program and taught home economics and other vocational courses.
After two years of teaching, Brenda followed her artistic talents into interior design and decorating, then returned to teaching vocational courses at Oxford High School while Jimmy attended Law School at Ole Miss. There, she served as President of the Legal Ladies.
When Brenda and Jimmy started their family in 1978, she put aside her teaching and interior design experience to become a full-time Mother for their children, and did not return to work, part-time, for over twelve years, when the youngest of their three children entered kindergarten.
Brenda had many interests and remarkable talents. In addition to her considerable home economics skills in cooking and sewing, she played piano and her family’s antique pump organ. She read extensively, and was a gifted sketch artist and painter, in pastels, watercolors and acrylics. She loved flowers, and her gardens were masterful.
Music was essential in Brenda’s life from a very early age, and her great musical passion was dancing. Whether at home or on trips across the country, she and Jimmy always looked for opportunities to enjoy good music on the dance floor.
Above all other things, Brenda was a woman of great and unwavering faith. A devout Christian, she had a deep knowledge and understanding of the Bible, and she had a special gift for being able to meaningfully share spiritual truths, solace and an uplifting spirit with family and friends who were facing difficult times.
Bobby Brenda Bridges Palmer was a beautiful, gracious, and selfless lady who, in her quiet, gentle way, touched and blessed all who knew and loved her, and she leaves with us an indelible and enduring legacy of goodness and kindness.
Brenda is survived by her husband, James I. “Jimmy” Palmer Jr.; daughters, Lena Brice Palmer Sumanadasa (Esala) and Corey Leigh Palmer; son, James I. Palmer III (Christina); a sister, Joanne Nimmons, and grandchildren, Jeremiah Austin Heva-Palmer and Brenna Savithri Heva-Palmer.
Her parents and brother, Louis Jerry Ball, preceded Brenda in death.
A memorial service for Brenda will be held at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Home in Grenada on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m., and the Service at 2 p.m. A graveside service will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Grenada.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada is in charge of arrangements.
