Rev. J. Harold Palmer

Rev. J. Harold Palmer, 87, of Connelly Springs, North Carolina, passed away Saturday evening, October 18, 2025 at Amorem Hospice of Valdese.

He was born in Haywood County on June 19, 1938 to the late Harley Vaughn Palmer and Magola Caldwell Palmer.

A true shepherd and servant of God, Rev. Palmer served as a Bishop with the Church of God for over 55 years. He served churches in Parsons, Kansas, Ridgeway, Virginia, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Lake Placid, Florida, Washington, North Carolina, and Roxboro, North Carolina. Throughout his life, Rev. Palmer also held positions of leadership for the State Council for the Church of God for many years, and he also served as district overseer.

A proud veteran, he served in the United States Navy as a Corpsman. He enjoyed spending time in the outdoors fishing and hunting, and he was also an avid bowler. He was very loved by his family and his brothers and sisters in Christ whose lives he left a lasting mark on.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Edward Palmer, and a sister, Eunice Palmer.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Geretha Mae Gardin Palmer; two children, Denise Green (David) and Rev. Jeff Palmer (Nicole); eleven grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at East Marion Pentecostal Holiness Church, 900 Baldwin Avenue in Marion. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the church and will be officiated by Rev. Melvin Shuler and Dr. Cornelius Ogundele. Interment will be held at Garrett Hillcrest Memorial Park in Waynesville.