Grace Cannon Palmer, age 89, of Shelby, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Born in Cleveland County on April 22, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Hubert and Essie Champion Clark.

Grace was preceded in death by the love of her life and first husband, Palmer G. Cannon; her brother, Hubert Lee Clark; her sisters, Sybol Mauney and Betty Wallace; and her stepson, Greg Palmer.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Verlon Joe Palmer; daughters, Pam Cannon Wellmon of the home, and Linda Davis and husband Jeff of Harrisburg; her stepson, Mike Palmer and wife Dee of Richmond, Virginia; her stepdaughter, Betsy Herndon and husband Todd of San Antonio, Texas; and her stepdaughter-in-law, Julie Palmer of Greenville, South Carolina . She is also survived by her sister, Jessie Favell of Grover, North Carolina.

Her legacy of love continues through her grandchildren: Jeremy Champion and wife Elizabeth of Shelby; Haley Greene and husband Wesley of Shelby; Heather DiBruno and husband Nick of Gastonia; Adam Owensby and fiancée Natalia of Wilmington; Grace Herndon and Judah Oechsle of Austin, Texas; Wright Herndon of Austin, Texas; Meredith Herndon of San Antonio, Texas; Meredith and Jay Bogardus of Huntsville, Alabama; and Caroline Palmer and Matthew Mihalko of Memphis, Tennessee.

Grace was blessed with great-grandchildren who brought her great joy: Hannah Champion of Raleigh; Luke Champion of Shelby; Emma, Bella, and Zeeke Greene of Shelby; Luca DiBruno of Gastonia; and Ariel Owensby.

She was also blessed by the love and friendship of her special friends, Tony and Betsy Harnage.

Grace was retired from KEMET Corporation and was a devoted member of the Shelby Church of Christ. She enjoyed baking, cooking, and working with flowers. She loved praying for others and was known for her compassion and generosity--often taking meals to those in need and offering a kind word or prayer to anyone who crossed her path. Her life was a reflection of Christ's love and service to others.

Grace will be remembered for her deep faith, her unwavering love for her family, and the way she cared for others with a servant's heart. She embodied Proverbs 31--gracious, giving, and God-fearing. Her warmth and kindness touched everyone who knew her, and her legacy will continue to live on through those she loved so dearly.

Funeral services will be held at Patterson Springs Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Friday, October 31, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. and burial immediately following.
Pastors Terry Graves and Steve Waters will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VIA Health Partners, P.O. Box 470408, Charlotte, NC 28247, in honor of Grace's life and the compassionate care she received.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family.

Online Condolences may be made at: www.cecilburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is compassionately serving the family at this time.