Palmer, Pauline West

Pauline West Palmer, 99, of Christiansburg, died peacefully at home on February 19, 2025. She was born on January 10, 1926, in Alleghany Springs, VA, to the late Walter and Gertrude Williams West. She was the final surviving member of her ten siblings.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Odell William Palmer, Sr.; three brothers, Warfield, Osborne, and Homer West; five sisters, Eula West, Lucille Shorts, Eva Creasy, Claudine Morgan, and Mary Ann West; two grandchildren, Craig and Dana Palmer; one son-in-law; Fred McKenzie; and one daughter-in-law, Roxie Palmer.

Growing up in Alleghany Springs she enjoyed country living. From her father’s guidance, she developed a love for gardening and planting. She was able to take those skills with her to build her new life in a new town. Pauline moved to Christiansburg, VA, after she married Odell Palmer in
1942. Out of the union were four children, Allen, Odell Jr., Phillip, and Barbara.

Although never formally employed, Pauline was very involved in her church and her community. She became an active member of Asbury United Methodist Church. In the early days, Pauline would get to the church early to ring the church bell every Sunday. She taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, attended Bible study, ushered, cooked for church events, and decorated the church. Pauline was also the Mother of the Church.

Pauline had a special place in her heart for children. She provided care for her grandchildren and other children in the area before and after school and summers while the parents went to work. She imparted her time, love, and compassion to every child in her care. She provided them
with genuine love, support, discipline, and guidance.

This dedication extended beyond children, as she also served as a caregiver for her sisters for several years and her husband when he became ill later in his life. Her desire to care for people was one of the reasons why she was well loved by family, friends, and the community.

Pauline loved flowers, singing, and reading her Bible faithfully. Her Bible gave her a sense of peace and divine presence especially after her husband passed in 2001. She was an amazing cook and often granted special requests to cook certain dishes for others like corn pudding, macaroni and cheese, and pound cake. She attributed her longevity to God, honoring her parents, loving others, and staying active. She would go to the recreation center at 5:00 a.m. everyday to walk with her son until her late 80s. She enjoyed going to church, watching preaching online, and listening to Gospel music, the Glorylanders being part of her collection of course!

Pauline will be cherished for her virtuous spirit, her gentle smile, her wisdom, her thoughtfulness, and her nurturing presence, which made her a mother to all. She is survived by her children, Allen Palmer, Odell (Karan) Palmer, Jr., Phillip (Shirley) Palmer, and Barbara McKenzie; grandchildren, Aaron (Lidia) Palmer, Keith Palmer, Freddie’Nicole Mckenzie-Barnes, and Angela (Rudy) Banks; great-grandchildren, Andrew Palmer, Melvin Palmer, Jasmine Ramsey, Dayna (Patty) Palmer, Dana Palmer, Jr., Craig Palmer, Carly Palmer, Lauren Palmer, Jayden Mitchell-Palmer, N’Dia Braxton, Nylan Childress, Derrick Barnes, Jr., DelKwon Barnes, Shaun Richardson, and Sasha Eaves; nine great-great-grandchildren; family friend, Patricia Palmer; nursing staff; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A public viewing will be held Friday, February 28, 2025, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home & Crematory, 1002 Moorman Avenue, Roanoke. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Asbury United Methodist Church, Christiansburg, VA. Live Streaming will be available from the Hamlar-Curtis website. Click “View Live Streaming Here” at the top of the screen, then select “Facebook Live Stream – Roanoke/View All Videos”. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Schaeffer Community Cemetery in Christiansburg. Condolences may be sent to www.hamlar-curtis.com or info@hamlar-curtis.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been set up in Pauline Palmer’s name at Asbury United Methodist Church.