Sara Goodwin Palmer led a purpose filled earthly pilgrimage of 79 years serving God, her family and others every step of the way and returned to her Creator at her Okolona residence on Sunday, March 9, 2025, after a brief period of declining health. Born in Tishomingo County, Mississippi on September 9, 1945 to the late Carson Gray Goodwin and Inez Clement Goodwin, Sara grew up in the Belmont area graduating from Belmont High School in 1963. She attended IJC and received training in real estate. Surviving life’s challenges by her unyielding faith and the grace of God, Sara became a resident of Okolona 46 years ago. She joined the First Baptist Church where she remained engaged and active until her death. She spent several years as a secretary at the Okolona Farm Bureau Office. Her life was centered around God, her family and assisting and encouraging everyone she met. At First Baptist, she actively engaged in all its ministries especially teaching crafts to seniors over the years, teaching Sunday school, and being in charge of “White Christmas.” A member of the Okolona Chamber of Commerce winning the Golden Heart Award in 2013, Sara was totally committed to the life and music of Elvis and served as an early president of the Tupelo Elvis Presley Fan Club as well as working for the Elvis Presley Birthplace. She taught Divorce Recovery classes at First United Methodist Church in Tupelo and provided selfless leadership in helping displaced families and children get the help they needed toward recovery and redemption. An avid student of the “Red Letter” part of the New Testament, Sara was committed to the least, last and most vulnerable as there are countless testimonies of her love, devotion to and watch care of those in need. Among the many joys of Sara’s life was being a part of ladies in Okolona known as the “Hot Springs Hotties,” a comedy singing group that traveled extensively entertaining in a variety of venues replete with “old lady” costumes and hats. Sara had a merry heart, a beautiful smile, and a sterling personality which will remain forever in the hearts of her family and friends.
A service celebrating Sara’s life will be held at 2 PM Thursday, March 13, 2025 at First Baptist Church-Okolona with her son-in-law, Rev. Dr. Randy Lewman, officiating assisted by her former longtime pastor, Rev. Dr. Roy McHenry. Hannah Gregory, her granddaughter, will deliver the eulogy. Burial will follow in the Goodwin ancestral cemetery, Ridge Cemetery near Golden, Mississippi. Visitation will be from 4 PM to 7PM Wednesday, March 19, and from Noon-service time Thursday, all at First Baptist-Okolona. Holland Funeral Directors-Okolona is honored to serve their friends.
Sara is survived by her children, Tracey Lewman and husband, Dr. Randy Lewman of Okolona, and Casey Palmer of Skyline; granddaughter, Hannah Gregory and husband, Austin; great-grandchildren that are Grammy’s pride and joy, Charlie Brooke and Knox Gregory, and her bonus grandchildren, Allie Wallis, Kelsey Horn, Jackson Phillips and their children. Sara had five nieces: Linda Russell, Carol Taylor, Angie Inman, Linda Easley, and Stephanie Coleman; three nephews, Mark Cain (Cindy), Chuck Inman (Carmen), and Ronnie White;several great nieces and nephews all of whom she loved including Dr. Zachary Inman (Lisa), Dr. Kymberly Moyer (Kirk), Stephanie, Matthew, and Rachel Cain, Holli Wardlaw and her son, Declan, and her former daughter-in-law, Lisa Phillips.Sara had many cousins including Sammylee Pounds, her son Andy (wife Rita), and Debbie Nelson, and a great host of special friends including the “Hotties” and Vicky Brown, who gave Tracey a break at home weekly.
Sara is preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Wilese Cain (Sammy, deceased), and a brother, Darwin Goodwin; and the father of her children, Gene Palmer.
Pallbearers will be Emmett Free, Marvin Bryant, Jerome Kyles, Tommy Rogers, Gib Wise and Junior Roberts. Honorary pallbearers will be Jason Owens and Charlie Watson.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 201 East Main, Okolona, MS 38860, or the Tupelo Elvis Fan Club, P. O. Box 856, Tupelo, MS 38802, or Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 41871,Memphis, TN 381674. The family wishes to thank Gentiva Hospice for their beautiful care.
