Martha Jane (Baxter) Palmer

Martha-Jane Baxter Palmer lived a most extraordinary life.

Martha-Jane, 92, passed away on October 17, 2021, at 8:20 p.m. in Galion.

She was born on September 16, 1929, in Flint, Michigan to the late Elly Cecil and Vera (Sypher) Baxter. She married George William Palmer on December 18, 1954, and he preceded her in death in 1989.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Carol Anne, daughter-in-law Lori, grandchildren Curtis and Rebecca, and sister and brother-in-law Mary and Larry Hartman.

Martha-Jane grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan, the child of a Tennessee gentleman and a Michigan girl who loved music. Much of her childhood was spent in a rural setting and she actually attended classes in a one room schoolhouse. She and George met in junior high band, were high school sweethearts, and both graduated in the Lakeview High School Class of 1947.

Before marriage she worked for Michigan Bell Telephone and Kellogg's. In the 1970s, she returned to work and was employed at Sears, Continental Insurance, and BankOne. She was also for a time the Secretary of the Chemistry Department of North Carolina State University.

She served in leadership roles with the Galion League of Women Voters; North School PTA; Durant (Oklahoma) High School Band Boosters; Cub Scouts; and as a Choir Director and Organist for several United Methodist congregations over a fifty-year period, including St. Mark United Methodist Church in Galion. Martha-Jane also served as Flag Corps Advisor for both the Galion Tiger Marching Band and the North Carolina State University Wolfpack Marching Band.

Martha-Jane's interests included music, crafts, and crocheting. She loved organizing games at family events and spent countless enjoyable hours playing the piano at home. While her children were young, she and George were avid campers, taking family vacations to such places as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Lake Texoma, and to visit family history sites in upstate New York.

She is survived by her sons Larry (Sara) Palmer of Galion; Thomas of Galion, Scott (Jodie) of Galion, and Brian (Kathy) of Pickerington; daughter Jane Palmer Baker of Galion; grandchildren Jason, Eric, Judson, and Jessica (fiancé Cory) of Galion; Caroline of Northampton, Massachusetts; Michael of La Grange, North Carolina; Charleen (Lee) and William (Julia) of Ogden, Utah; and Nicholas, Carson, and Tyler of Pickerington; great grandchildren Kai, Shane, and Hunter; cousin Joanne Heinrich of Battle Creek, Michigan; and nephews John and Bill Hartman.

Martha-Jane's spirit lives on in the countless and extraordinary memories she left with her family and friends. She will be so very, very missed by all of us.

A celebration on Martha's life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the RHA Howell Care Center; 5840 Greenwood Rd. LaGrange, NC 28551.

Those wishing to share a memory of Martha or to the Palmer family may do so by visiting www.masfh.com.

The Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home, 303 Portland Way North, Galion is honored to serve the family of Martha Jane Palmer.

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