Virgia Bridges Palmer

Virgia Bridges Palmer, 89, a long time Simpson County educator, transitioned Wednesday, July 15, 2009, in her home on Saint John Road in rural Simpson County, Mississippi.
Funeral services will be today at 4 pm at Saint John Missionary Baptist Church, 1901 St. John Road, Braxton, Mississippi with visitation beginning at 3 pm.
The second child of the late Reverend Emmit Hezekiah and Lela Jackson Cotton of Kosciusko Mississippi, Virgia B. was born in Philadelphia, Mississippi on October 15, 1919. She was exactly three months shy of her ninetieth birthday.
In 1942, while in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, she met Vasco L. Bridges, of Braxton, Mississippi. The two married three months later on May 7, 1942. After his return from duty in the Pacific Theater of WW II, the two were blessed with four children. In 1965, she married Joe Palmer. During the marriage, many events occurred including the building of her new home, where she resided until her death. Mr. Palmer passed in March of 1970.
Being the second born of educator and founder of The Hopewell School in Neshoba County Mississippi (a Julius Rosenwald Foundation funded school), Virgia B., as she was called by her relatives and close friends, inherited a strong sense of the value of education. She received her primary and secondary education in Neshoba, Kemper and Attala counties of Mississippi. She also received a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science in Education from Jackson State University.
Virgia used her education to help others. She began her career in Preston, Mississippi and was a teacher and administrator in Simpson County for over 41 years. There are very few students who attended Harper High who did not have her as a teacher. After teaching four generations of Simpson County students, she retired in 1983. Following retirement, she opened her heart and home to foster children including Bernice Johnson and Valerie Davis.
Beginning with the Reverend Charlie Haywood Harper through the current pastor Reverend Willie Franks Sr., she was a member of the Saint John Missionary Baptist Church for 65 years. She served the community faithfully and dutifully with the Home Mission Society, as a Sunday School Teacher, and as the church clerk for as long as everyone can remember. She always considered the Saint John community as her second family.
Preceding her in death are sisters, Virginia Lomotey, Valencia Gales, and Clotee Hudson. Brothers preceding her are E.H. Cotton, Jr., Leoz Cotton, Lavell Cotton, and Willie Cotton.
She is survived by: three sons and a daughter, Vasco Jr. (Jo Lynn) of Madison, Mississippi, Lela Annette (John Webb) of Flossmoor, Illinois, Charlie Haywood of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Stennis Carl Bridges of Braxton, Mississippi. Her surviving siblings are brothers, Lavois, Manual (Alberthenia) and MacArthur (Mamie) Cotton of Kosciusko, Mississippi and Nathaniel (Liz) Cotton of Mobile Alabama; sisters, Alzenia Catchings of Kosciusko Mississippi and Octavia Dormu of Washington D.C.; and sister-in-law, Mary Cotton of Rock Island, Illinois.
She also leaves thirteen grandchildren, Tiffanie Jones, Etrecia Williams, Stephanie Jones, LaTonya Bridges, Stennis Carl Bridges, II, Vasco Bridges, III, Christina Bridges, Jason Bridges, Carla Bridges, Catherine Bridges, Esstene' West, Mica Weathersby, and Mackenzie Bridges; seven great-grand children; and a host of other relatives and friends.
The last few years of her life were significantly enhanced as a result of the loving care of Mrs. Rosie Perkins, Ms. Rose Marie Camper and Ms. Sheila Carter.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Saint John Missionary Baptist Church Scholarship Fund in memory of Virgia B. Palmer. Please mail to Saint John Missionary Baptist Church, Post Office Box 316, D'Lo, Mississippi 39062.