Our History Has Made Us Strong

Background

The Palmer tradition of service did not begin with Palmer Memorial Chapel founder, Edmund Perry Palmer, but with his father, Robert John Palmer of Columbia, S.C.. Robert John Palmer was a respected and successful businessman who was one of the few men of color elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives during the period of Reconstruction after the Civil War. His ninth and last child was Edmund Perry Palmer who was to become Sumter’s first licensed, Black mortician.

A graduate of Claflin College, Orangeburg, S.C., Edmund Perry Palmer completed his professional training at the Renouard School of Mortuary Science, New York, in 1925 and began his practice as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. He gained experience with the Mutual Undertaking Company and as a partner with Nelson, Lawson, Palmer. In 1933, he and his wife Ellie Dibble Palmer, opened the present funeral home on South Main Street in Sumter.

A leader in his community and profession, he established the first ambulance service in Sumter County. His compassion and love for people were demonstrated in many ways: providing food and clothing for those in need, assisting the unemployed and homeless, helping to educate young people and giving generously to churches and the community.

Edmund Perry and Ellie Dibble Palmer had four sons, two of whom continued in the funeral profession, Robert John Palmer and Edmund Perry Palmer, Jr.

Robert John Palmer

Robert John Palmer was educated at Mather Academy in Camden, S.C., West Virginia State College and Renouard School of Mortuary Science in New York. He completed post graduate training in funeral management from the National Foundation of Funeral Service in Evanston, Illinois. He believed in continuing education, which he did throughout his lifetime as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. He joined the family business in 1948, one year before his father died. Throughout the years, Robert John Palmer followed the family tradition of service and accomplishment. He was involved in civic leadership roles, supported many causes and played an integral part in business and professional organizations to improve the quality of life and opportunity for all persons. He was married to Theodis (Theo) Palmer and they had two daughters, Lorin Peri and Vikki Laurence.

Perry Palmer, Jr.

Edmund Perry Palmer, Jr. (E. Perry) was literally born in the funeral home in 1935, began working with his parents at the funeral home as a young boy and knew that it was his lifelong ambition. In 1957, after graduating from Mather Academy, Camden, North Carolina A & T College, Greensboro, and the American Academy of Funeral Service, New York, E Perry Palmer became a full-time member of the firm in Sumter. In 1970, he and his wife, Grace Brooks Palmer moved to Columbia and purchased the former Johnson Funeral Home. In 1982, after a fire destroyed the facility, the business was renamed Palmer Memorial Chapel of Columbia to reflect the family name. E. Perry Palmer is the recipient of numerous awards and citations including the Humanitarian of the Year Award. E. Perry and his late wife Grace Brooks Palmer are the parents of two children: Brooks Naudin and Ema Pinn Palmer.

Lorin Peri Palmer

Lorin Peri represents the third generation of the Palmer family in the funeral profession. She has continued the family tradition of “firsts” by becoming: the only woman in Sumter County to earn a degree in Mortuary Science, to become a Certified Preplanning Consultant through the National Funeral Directors Association and a member of the State Board of Consumer Affairs, Pre-Need Advisory Board. She is also a graduate of Mather Academy in Camden, Duke University, Durham, N.C., attended Howard University, Washington, D.C. and Oxford University in England. After holding positions of responsibility in Washington, D.C., she completed her mortuary training at the Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, Ga.. As a licensed funeral director and embalmer, she continues in the family tradition of life-long learning, service to the community, outreach and ministry to those in need. She is the mother of a son, Palmer Augustus Douglas Fielding.