Junell Ann Palmer

Junell Palmer, 96, passed peacefully August 21, 2021, in Waco, Texas. Junell was born to James W. and Annie Baker on March 6, 1925, in Hawley, Texas as the fifth of six siblings. After graduating from Hawley High School in 1942, Junell moved to Dallas, living with her brother, Hickman, his wife, Frances, and their infant son, Penny, while working at Neiman Marcus, Magnolia Oil, and Chance Vought Aeronautics and attending Draughon’s Business College. While in Dallas, Junell married P. Clark Williams, II and together, they had daughter Pamela and sons Ron and Bill. After a divorce in 1952, Junell and her three children moved to Abilene to be near family. On July 18, 1953, Junell married a caring and hardworking man, Leslie Palmer, with whom she had a fourth child, Leslie. The family lived in Abilene for 16 years and moved to Arlington in 1969. In 2015, Junell moved to Waco and resided there until her passing.

True to her enterprising spirit, Junell enjoyed careers as a model, a dental assistant, a nurse assistant, and a personnel manager. Clearly, the highlight of her professional life was as a Texas realtor/broker, especially during her tenure with Ebby Halliday Real Estate. Through it all, Junell served as the bookkeeper and a faithful advisor for Leslie Palmer Construction Company.

Junell was a true lady, a respected wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a friend to all who knew her. She was the life of any party or event. Her hair, makeup, and clothing were always stylish and beautiful. She was our “Steel Magnolia.” We are blessed to have Junell in our lives. Our memories are the gifts of time.

Junell is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Leslie A. Palmer, her son, William P. (“Bill”) Williams, her daughter-in-law, Lynn Williams, her brothers, Hickman Baker and James Baker, and her sisters Vermelle Warnell, Velma Sutton, and Pauline Cox. She is survived by her daughter Pamela (“Pam”) Sprague (Gene), sons Ronald C. (“Ron”) Williams and Leslie A. (“Les”) Palmer, Jr. (Lanna), seven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Family and friends will celebrate Junell’s life at a graveside service on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at Moore Memorial Gardens, 1219 N. Davis Dr., Arlington, TX at 1:00 p.m. (Summer casual attire is encouraged!) Honorary pallbearers: Jim Landers, David Malin, Shane Sprague, Kevin Landers, Chris Adamek, Landon Palmer, Logan Palmer, and Mike O’Donnell. Officiating: Dr. Larry Ashlock. Music: Dawn Adamek and Isabel Malin.

Special thanks to the courageous healthcare providers at Ascension Providence, Waco, TX. And, a special thanks to Kevin Mullins with Community Healthcare Hospice for compassionate oversight and care.

In lieu of flowers, please consider charitable contributions to organizations dedicated to prevention or treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, colon cancer, or dementia/Alzheimer’s.