Cora Lee Palmer

“She was my hero.” The words of Cora Lee Palmer’s sister, Barbara Bailey sum up who she was. Born on June 1, 1928 and passing away on July 22, 2016. Born in Yadkin County to Walter McKinley and Carlie Matthews Smith and growing up in Lexington, NC as a daughter of a farmer, Cora learned early in life the value of hard work. She was a military wife for many years, traveling from air force base to air force base, working hard and never complaining. When stationed in Hawaii, she adopted her son, Timothy Lee Palmer and dedicated most of her efforts towards his upbringing. She was a firm and loving parent, once telling 5 year old Tim (who had gotten into some trouble), “You don’t have to like me right now, but you do have to respect me.” After she and her husband split, Cora returned to her father’s home where she cared for him until his death. Working at the Duracell plant in Lexington, caring for her son and her father, Cora was indeed a hero – the kind you don’t often read about. She never asked for help; she never complained; and she was kind to all around her. She seldom did anything for herself, earning and saving enough money to put her son through college. Fiercely independent, she loved her church and her family deeply and put them before herself always. Her eyes shone with pride at the mention of her grandchildren, Jessica Ryan Palmer and Timothy Brett Palmer. During her life, Cora carried great weight on her tiny shoulders - never complaining and never faltering, always there for her family no matter what. A true hero in life to all who knew her and she will be dearly missed. Cora was preceded in death by her brothers Van Dee Smith, Matthew Smith, and Billy Smith as well as her sister Lorell Myers. She is survived by her son Tim Palmer, grandchildren Jessie and Brett Palmer, sister Barbara Bailey and her husband Bill, sister Betty Bates and her husband JW, sister-in-law Jody Smith, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. A funeral service will be at 2:00 PM Thursday at Mount Carmel United Methodist Church by the Rev. Bruce Morasco. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers a memorial may be made to Mount Carmel United Methodist Church, 1400 Mount Carmel Church Rd, Lexington, NC 27295. Rev. Bruce Morasco.