Betty Jane Palmer

Betty Jane Palmer, of Lake Limestone, passed away at Groesbeck LTC Nursing Home on Thursday, April 28, 2022, at age 79.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, 2022, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Jon Honea officiating.

Burial will be on Friday, May 6, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. at the Goldthwaite Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Wayne Kaufman, Tyler Lyman-Palmer, and Braxton Hail.

Betty was born February 20, 1943, in Brownwood, and her parents were Otto Wells and Jerene (Rowsey) Wells.   She attended school in Early and graduated from high school in 1961.

During her school years, her sweetheart was David Palmer, who was a few grades ahead of her.  Betty and David McKinnon Palmer were married in 1961 prior to her graduation.  

David and Betty lived in Early with their baby son, Michael, until 1964, when David went to work for Texas Parks and Wildlife.   They moved to Snyder where they lived the next 7 years, then moved to Abilene for 5 years, and then to Pflugerville.  Betty had been working for banks but went to work in Austin for Ann Richards in the Treasurer’s office.   That office and her job evolved into the State Comptroller’s office, where she worked in the unclaimed property division for 12 years until she retired.

When the toll road was built passing right by their property, David and Betty bought lots and built a home at Lake Limestone.   While David was fishing, she was busy cooking and cleaning – ever the wonderful housewife and grandmother.  Betty enjoyed collecting Norman Rockwall plates, enough to fill her walls and store the overflow in the closet.    She also had a collection of small bells David brought her from all his travels all over the U.S. and Canada.  

When her adoptive parents died, Betty searched for her biological parents.   She found that her birth mother was already deceased, but she found her father, Earl Hood and was able to visit him in Tennessee.   After he passed away in 2012, she and David kept in touch with his wife, Della in Memphis, TN.   Since Betty’s health declined 3 months ago, she had resided in Groesbeck LTC.

Betty was preceded in death by her adoptive parents; her biological parents; and her son, Michael.

She is survived by her husband of over 60 years, David McKinnon Palmer, of Lake Limestone; and three granddaughters, Crystal, Amber and Magen, and their families.  Betty’s grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchild are:  Crystal Palmer (of Taylor) and her 3 children -Tyler and wife Sydney Lyman-Palmer, Haven and husband Kyle Hargrove and their son Easton (the great-great grandchild of Betty), and Braxton Hail.  Amber Green and husband Curtis (of Hutto), and their son, Anthony Green.  Magen Johnson (of Rosanky) and husband, David, and their 4 children – Nash Johnson, Abel Johnson, Aden Johnson, and Michaela Johnson.