Arvilla Dean Palmer, daughter of the late Ralph Murphy and Stacy Lorell Crabtree Murphy, was born on August 27, 1935, in Elk Township, Missouri, and departed this life on April 9, 2022, in Dexter, Missouri, where she was a resident, at the age of 86 years.
She was united in marriage on July 31, 1953, in Frank Clay, Missouri, to Rev. Willard Preston Palmer. This true partnership of love and devotion surpassed even Preston’s death on October 15, 2019. That same love and devotion was showered upon her family, especially her daughters, “son” and two much cherished grandsons.
Mrs. Palmer was a homemaker and pastor’s wife. She was a member of the Church of the Nazarene throughout her life. Most recently First Church of the Nazarene in Dexter. In her early years Arvilla worked at a shoe factory, a hosiery factory, and a Quality Stamps store. Later she became a fulltime mom and pastor’s wife. Having a heart for missions and spreading the love for Jesus, she was the missionary president at most of the churches where they pastored. She served on multiple church boards. She planned and participated in many vacation bible schools, taught Sunday school, and was part of the women’s fellowship at the various churches. Throughout her life Arvilla was an example of what a true Christian should be.
She is survived by two daughters, Deana Sue Palmer of Olathe, Kansas, and Penny Danette Palmer Haughey and husband John of Olathe, Kansas; by two grandsons, William Jacob “Jake” Haughey, and Joshua Palmer Haughey also of Olathe, Kansas; by three brothers, Quincy Murphy of Dexter, Missouri, Gary Murphy of Bernie, Missouri, and Berry Don Murphy of Dexter, Missouri; and by her sister, Linda Sue Garner of Sikeston Missouri.
Other than her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and older sister, Alveta Aycock.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted at the First Church of the Nazarene in Dexter on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.
Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
