JOYCE PALM

1921 - 2015

JOYCE UPPERMAN PALM is at peace with her Lord Jesus Christ, having departed this world on June 7, 2015 at the age of 93. Claire Joyce was born in Washington, D.C. on August 11, 1921 to Eve Riddick Upperman and M Walter Upperman. The family moved to El Paso when she was 4, settling in Kern Place. She attended El Paso High and Texas College of Mines (now UTEP).
On December 29, 1941 she married her first love Herbert Moss Mills, a young First Lieutenant who rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and Tank Battalion Commander. Sadly, soon after the birth of their son, Herb was killed at the Battle of the Bulge. Returning to El Paso, Joyce raised their son Bart with her mother and stepfather Col. Ben Hunter Cooley, a U.S. Army doctor stationed at Ft. Bliss. On February 23, 1950, Joyce (and Bart) married Robert Hicks Palm. The family welcomed daughter Kristi two years later.
Joyce and Bob shared 54 joyful years together, living in and loving the people and town of El Paso. Joyce served as President of the Junior League of El Paso, President of the Women's Committee of the El Paso Symphony, President of the El Paso Rehabilitation Center, and Budget Committee Chairman for United Way.
At 15, a date took Joyce to Church of St. Clement and, after crying through the service, she knew she had found her home in the Episcopal Church.
Joyce served faithfully at St. Clement, St. Luke's, and as a Founder of St. Francis Mission. At St. Francis on the Hill she served as Head of the Building Committee, on Altar Guild, as Senior Warden, and assisted at the Altar. Ironing and preparing altar linens was a favorite. Joyce loved bridge and her bridge friends dearly, as well as crossword puzzles, the morning newspaper and a good book - all of which she enjoyed to the end. She was a gracious lady most of all, and will long be remembered for her red hair, gloves, ever-young spirit, gift of hospitality and marvelous stories. Most importantly, she's remembered for how much she loved and enjoyed her family.
Joyce is survived by her son, Bart Palm and his wife Margy of San Antonio; her daughter Kristi Williams and her husband Dan of Austin; Grandchildren Noelle Palm, Mills Palm and his wife Angelica, Chamlee Lewis and her husband Campbell, Robert Williams and his wife Cherie, and Hunter Williams; and her 5 great-grandchildren Evie, Margaret, Adair, Tres and Kate. "Nanan" will be dearly missed by all.
A service of celebration will be held Wednesday, June 17 at 12:30 pm at Church of St. Clement in El Paso, Texas. Following the service, the interment will be at St. Francis on the Hill, in the garden she and Bob helped design and care for. Rev. Ron Thomson will officiate.
Special thanks and gratitude go to her nurses at Vitas Hospice, and to her wonderful and loving caregivers Phyllis, Janice, Mary and Valerie.
Donations in her honor may be made to The Smile Train, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, St. Francis Anglican Church, El Paso, or Christ Episcopal Church, San Antonio.