Irene Johnson Palmer, age 94, of Springfield, passed away Thursday, May 30, 2024 at her home. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 3, 2024 at 11am in the chapel of the Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield with Sam Andavazo officiating. Burial will follow in the Springfield Memorial Gardens with Major Yates, Jeff Wilson, Bubba Watson, Tomas Garcia, Billy Jackson, Stan Johnson, Tim Johnson, Pat Tobin, Edward Miller Williams, Terry Johnson and John Palmer serving as pallbearers.
Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, June 2, 2024 from 2-4pm and again on Monday from 9am until the hour of service at 11am.
Mrs. Palmer was born December 14, 1929 in Barren Plains to the late Albert and Floy Gainous Johnson. A twin to her sister, Lorene, the “golden dust twins” were delivered by their aunt Blanch, weighing only 5 pounds each and their father called them “his babies” as long as he lived. Along with her sister, Lorene, Irene enjoyed playing basketball and cheerleading at Barren Plains School and at Springfield High School before graduating. She retired from South Central Bell after 35 years of service and was a member of Springfield Baptist Church for over 50 years.
In addition to her parents Mrs. Palmer is preceded in death by her husband, Franklin “Buster” Palmer and her siblings, Mable Heatherly, Delphia Williams, W.A. Johnson, Ammon Johnson, and their beloved dog “Muffin”.
She is survived by her twin sister, Lorene Dean of Springfield; and nieces and nephews, Ann (Bobby) Clinard of Springfield, Leah (Patrick) Tobin of Springfield, Edward Miller (Carolyn) Williams of Atlanta, GA, Terry (Julie) Johnson of Barren Plains, Tim (Kim) Johnson of Nashville and Stan (Janie) Johnson of Portland. Mrs. Palmer is also survived by a host of loving great-nieces and nephews, and dear friends.
Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of these arrangements.
