Shirley Palmer Hamblen's Obituary
Shirley Palmer Hamblen, 72, of Dalton, Georgia passed away at the Tavares Hospice House on Thursday morning, November 15, 2018, after a three-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was the youngest of nine children of George and Ruby Wofford Palmer of Dalton, GA. Her two surviving sisters are Evelyn Palmer Hays of Roswell, GA and Mary Lou Palmer Bell from Leesburg, FL and numerous nieces and nephews. Shirley graduated from Westside High School in 1964 and was chosen as the Most Talented girl in the class.
When asked what Shirley’s occupation was her husband, John, said, “She has been a church pianist since age 13.” She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Church Music and Piano in 1968 from Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, TN. Shirley and John were married for 50 years. They served churches in Jefferson City, TN; Chattanooga, TN; Winchester, TN; Louisville, KY, Middlesboro, KY, Peachtree City, GA; Seattle, WA; and Leesburg, FL. Until her death, she was one of the keyboard players at Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
They have one daughter Jessica Hamblen Klepper. She and her husband, Mike, live in Kirkland, WA. She always enjoyed her trips to Seattle to visit and to observe Jessica’s dance students.
Shirley and John have lived in the Plantation at Leesburg since 2012. As a resident of the Plantation and Leesburg she enjoyed participating in Creative Memories scrap-booking workshops, Greeting Card Classes, Plantation Christian Women’s Fellowship, Glenn Eagle Women’s Luncheon, Glenn Eagle Community Dinners. She enjoyed evening walks in the neighborhood and visiting with neighbors on her lanai or on theirs. She enjoyed welcoming people into her home and specially to have dinner and play “hand and foot”, Dominoes, or Marbles. Shirley and John enjoyed travel. They were able to enjoy a 50th anniversary cruise to Alaska this year.
In the Leesburg Community she “rang” with the Community Handbell Group Magna Campana. She really loved this group. She was also the accompanist for the Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church as well as a worship leader on the keyboard. She wanted to do more but ran out of time.
Before moving to Leesburg from Seattle, Shirley had a Creative Memories business. This was a great source of joy to her. She had the scrap books to share the memories.
What can be said of who she was. People say, “She was such a sweet lady.” “She encouraged people with the love of God.” “She always saw the good in people.” ”The love of God was evident in the way she lived her life.” “She was Miss Organization and especially enjoyed planning special events.” “She had a marvelous laugh.” “She enjoyed putting other people in the spotlight.” Her husband says,"she was a great wife and mother."
A Memorial Service is planned for Sunday, November 25 at 2:00 at the Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 700 South 9th Street, Leesburg, FL 34748 with reception to follow.
A second Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 12 at Kent Covenant Church, Kent, WA. Internment will be at the Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA. Reception will follow.
What’s your fondest memory of Shirley?
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