Evelyn ‘Grace’ (O’Dell) Palmer

Evelyn ‘Grace’ (O’Dell) Palmer, 91, passed away on January 18, 2026, surrounded by family and loved ones. She was born September 12, 1934, in Ray County, Missouri, to Jesse ‘Clarence’ O’Dell and Reca (Summers) O’Dell. ‘Grace’ grew up in Orrick/Excelsior Springs, Missouri, and went to Red Bridge Elementary school, then graduated from Excelsior Springs High School in 1952. After high school ‘Grace’ and a high school friend moved to Seattle, Washington, where she had a cousin living. While there she worked for A.M.F. Pinspotters in Seattle.

While driving down a road in Seattle, Washington, she along with her friend honked their horn pointing at the other cars Missouri license plate, they pulled over. The two men in the car were also from Missouri. After a conversation they all decided to go out. That night turned into 65 years of marriage to Jackie ‘Jack’ Lee Palmer, starting on May 18, 1958, and ending when he proceeded her in death on August 16, 2023. Jack and ‘Grace’ had three children, Jesse ‘Mark’ Palmer (Kathy), Jahnna Lea Griffin (Daniel), and Charlotte Grace Barger. They have nine grandchildren, Kelly (Steven) Johnson, Stephanie Lindner, Emily (Noah) Talton, Tyler Palmer, Trevor (Shelby) Griffin, Tanner (Kiara) Griffin, Joshua (Kaylee) Barger, Myranda (Christian) Althen, and Justice Barger; and 10 great-grandchildren.

‘Grace’ was a stay-at-home mother until all her children were in school. She worked for the Richmond News in Richmond, Missouri, where she was able to report on her favorite baseball team the KC Royals. She even had the chance to meet George Brett, Dennis Leonard and Amos Otis. From the paper she went on to be the Administrative Assistant to several City Managers of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, where she retired from. During her retirement she enjoyed bowling, gardening, traveling and watching her grandchildren’s activities. She was a member of the North New Garden Primitive Baptist Church.

Evelyn ‘Grace” Palmer is proceeded in death by her husband, Jackie ‘Jack’ Palmer; both of her parents; siblings, Vivian Christensen and David ‘Maurice’ O’Dell; and one great-grandchild.

Services will be held Friday, January 23, 2026 at New Garden Primitive Baptist Church. Visitation from noon to 1:00 p.m. with funeral services to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the O’Dell Cemetery fund.

Arrangements are in care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.