Stacey Leonard Palmore

Stacey Leonard Palmore, 56, a beloved coach, mentor, and father, passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at High Point Medical Center in North Carolina.
A resident of Jamestown, NC, Stacey was born on March 23, 1969 in Greenwood, South Carolina to Annie Lue Palmore and the late James L. Williams. A proud graduate of Greenwood High School and Livingstone College, he was a standout athlete in both basketball and golf. As a collegiate basketball player, Stacey consistently ranked among the nation's leaders in three-point field goal percentages and served as co-captain during his junior and senior year, an early reflection of his natural leadership and competitive spirit. In the early years of his career, Stacey founded the Shoot for the Stars Basketball Camp in Greenwood, SC where he mentored and helped develop aspiring young athletes. His commitment to community and youth development
remained at the core of his life's work.
Stacey dedicated over 30 years to coaching and mentoring young athletes, most recently serving as the Director of Video Scouting and Recruiting Operations/Assistant Coach for Elon University's men's basketball program. His extensive coaching career included impactful tenures at USC Upstate, Coastal Carolina, University of Georgia, Virginia Tech, College of Charleston, University of Evansville, Western Carolina, Lander University, and Erskine College. At each stop, he was recognized for his deep basketball knowledge, tireless work ethic, and passion for mentoring student-athletes both on and off the court.
Throughout his career, Stacey helped lead many of these programs to NCAA Tournament appearances, NIT selections, and postseason success. But his true legacy lies not in the wins and accolades, but in the countless lives he inspired as a mentor, role model, and friend within collegiate athletics.
Stacey is survived by his loving mother, Annie Lue Palmore of Greenwood; his cherished son, Jaden Palmore of High Point, NC; his brother, Larry Palmore (Dr. Joyce Palmore) of Greenwood, SC; his sister, Wanda Smiley (Eugene Smiley) of Greenwood SC; his brother, Curtis Holloway (Geraldine Holloway) of North Augusta, SC; and his nieces, Hillary Palmore, Esq. of Charlotte, NC and Keneska Smiley of Greenwood, SC. In addition to his father, Stacey was preceded in death by a brother, Gregory Palmore.
His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched through basketball and beyond.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 13, at Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Darren Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Oakbrook Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10:00-11:00am on Friday morning prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Next Level Lifestyle, a youth program, founded by Hoot Harrison.