Virginia Gray Palmer

PALMER Virginia Gray Palmer, 97, born December 9, 1907, Freeport, Ohio. Daughter of Lydia Isabelle McMath Gray and Wilbur Alonzo Gray (deceased), brother Harvey (Elizabeth) Gray (deceased), wife of Dwight Miller Palmer (deceased), sister-in-law of Alma Palmer Akin (deceased). Survived by children, Thomas Earl (Victoria) Palmer, Patricia Palmer (Robert) Miller, Robert Gray (Susan) Palmer; grandchildren, Sabrina Walling (David) Keyser, Tristan Corbett Palmer (Heather) Walling, Rebecca Walling (J. Matthew) Serra, Bradley Eames (Bekah) Palmer, Richard Thomas (Kellie) Palmer, Matthew Gray Palmer, Charles Justin Palmer, Maxwell Sam Simms Palmer, Jordan Justine Palmer Simms, Heidi Hoy Johnson, and Paul (Brittany) Hoy; great grandchildren, Benjamin, Nathan, and Jonathan Palmer, Gray and Abigail Palmer, Zachary and Owynn Serra, Caroline Walling, Brittany and Amber Johnson; niece, Joy Ann Akin Usich. Virginia passed away peacefully on July 16, 2005. She was a 70 year resident of Grandview Heights and a strong supporter of her community and its schools. She was a member of First Congregational Church for more than 60 years and served in numerous positions of responsibility. She was a proud graduate of Freeport Schools and Ohio Wesleyan University. She taught English, French, and Social Studies as a young woman. She devoted much energy and time to the PEO sisterhood and loved and cherished her sisters and their work. Virginia was an active member of Lyric, Grandview Civic, her Book Club, The University Women's Club, and many other charitable organizations. She was a docent at the Thurber House and knew much about James Thurber. An avid Buckeye fan, she attended football games for much of her adult life with her husband Dwight, a long time professor and first Chair of Neurology at The Ohio State University, College of Medicine. Every football Saturday found her in her scarlet and gray sweatshirt, cheering for the team. She and Dwight were constant travelers visiting such places as Alaska, Hawaii and virtually all states of the continental United States, as well as Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Outer Mongolia, and Europe. Portugal was favored. Most of all, she was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and a well known hostess and cook. She hosted holiday celebrations and weddings at her home for decades. Her family admired the love, grace, insight, humor, and talent she brought to multiple roles. Her extended family was her first, best, and lasting interest. Calling hours will be held at DEYO-DAVIS FUNERAL HOME, 1578 W. First Avenue, Grandview Heights, on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 from 6-8:30 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 10 a.m., at First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad Street. A private family service of burial will be held in Scio, Ohio. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in Virginia's memory can be made to First Congregational Church, the Thurber House or Pilot Dogs of Columbus.