The Excelsior Standard, Jan.23, 2026

Grace Palmer

Evelyn “Grace” (O’Dell) Palmer, 91, passed away Jan. 18, 2026, surrounded by family and loved ones. She was born Sept. 12, 1934, in Ray County to Jesse “Clarence” O’Dell and Reca (Summers) O’Dell. Grace grew up in Orrick/Excelsior Springs and went to Red Bridge Elementary School, then graduated in 1952 from Excelsior Springs High School. After high school, Grace and a high school friend moved to Seattle, where she had a cousin living. While there, she worked for A.M.F. Pinspotters in Seattle.

While driving down a road in Seattle, she and her friend honked their horn, pointing to another car’s Missouri license plate. The car pulled over.

The two men in the car also were from Missouri. After a conversation, they all decided to go out.

That night turned into 65 years of marriage to Jackie “Jack” Lee Palmer, starting on May 18, 1958, and ending when he preceded her in death on Aug. 16, 2023.

Jack and Grace had three children: Jesse “Mark” Palmer (Kathy), Jahnna Lea Griffin (Daniel) and Charlotte Grace Barger.

They have nine grandchildren, Kelly (Steven) Johnson, Stephanie Lindner, Emily (Noah) Talton, Tyler Palmer, Trevor (Shelby) Griffin, Tanner (Kiara) Griffin, Joshua (Kaylee) Barger, Myranda (Christian) Althen and Justice Barger; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Grace was a stay-at-home mother until all her children were in school. She worked for the Richmond News, where she was able to report on her favorite baseball team, the Kansas City Royals. She even had the chance to meet George Brett, Dennis Leonard and Amos Otis. From the paper, she went on to be the administrative assistant to several city managers of Excelsior Springs, where she retired. During her retirement, she enjoyed bowling, gardening, traveling and watching her grandchildren’s activities.

She was a member of the North New Garden Primitive Baptist Church.

In addition to her husband Jackie “Jack” Palmer, Evelyn “Grace” Palmer was preceded in death by both her parents; siblings, Vivian Christensen and David “Maurice” O’Dell; and one great-grandchild.

Services will be held Friday, Jan. 23. Visitation will be noon-1 p.m., with funeral services to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the O’Dell Cemetery Fund.