Obituary of Judith Susan Garrison Palmer

Judy Susan Garrison Palmer passed peacefully into heaven, hand in hand with her daughter, on February 26, 2025 at Saint Barbara’s Memorial Nursing Home in Monongah, West Virginia. The second of four children, Judy was born on August 21, 1950 to Davis and Dottie Garrison. Judy was the definition of kindness and southern grace. Demure to a fault, she inherited her mother’s love of perfectly coiffed hair and flawless makeup. Coupled with this modesty, however, was a keen athleticism on the softball field, an abiding faith, and a servant heart. She was active in both youth and adult ministries at Tacoma Church of God and, later, First Christian Church (both in Johnson City, TN), where she sang faithfully (but always softly so as not to be heard) in the adult choirs and attended other activities with a nearly unmatched loyalty. Her loyalty ran the deepest to her daughter, Jennifer, who was her pride and joy. Judy sacrificed many things—time, money, and sanity—to give her daughter the life she wanted for her. When she began sending Jennifer to piano lessons at the young age of four, it was primarily to keep the gregarious child out of trouble. Little did she know that she had planted the seed of her daughter’s lifelong passion. Much to her daughter’s early chagrin, she saw to it that practice times were kept and fielded many complaints. She never missed a recital, a marching band show, a choir concert, or a church service: if Jennifer was playing, she was there. She was a deeply devoted mother who spent every ounce of love she had caring for and loving others, friends and family alike, especially horses and children, for whom she had a marked soft spot. While the early onset of Alzheimer’s dementia took its toll on her physical and mental health, she never quite lost that softhearted demeanor that made her so special. Of particular comfort during her later years was her grandson, Marley, and the family dog, Carson. Grandson and granddog each had the unique ability to soothe her in difficult moments. When she moved to West Virginia to be with Jennifer, she was immediately wrapped in thoughtful care by the congregation of First Presbyterian Church (Fairmont, WV). The family wishes to extend its warmest thanks to her remarkable caregiver, Pam Proctor, the nursing staff of Saint Barbara’s Memorial Nursing Home, and the nurses at Amedisys Hospice for the warm and compassionate care they provided during the final year and months of her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Davis and Dottie Garrison. She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Palmer Walker, her son-in-law, Evan Walker, and one grandson, Marley Walker of Fairmont, WV. She is also survived by her siblings Davis Garrison, III (Marsha) and Steven Garrison (Carol) of Johnson City, TN, and Janet Garrison Murphy (Ted) of Nashville, two nephews, and two nieces. Judy is also survived by Steve Palmer who remained a caring and supportive presence in her life, especially as dementia took its debilitating toll. The family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in lieu of flowers. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ford Funeral Home, Ford Chapel, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont, WV 26554. A service of witness to the resurrection, officiated by Rev. Evan Walker, will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, March 8 at 2:00 PM; the family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The family will also receive friends and will share an additional celebration of Judy’s life from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturday, March 22 at First United Methodist Church in Johnson City, TN. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.