Conrad Onward Palmer died on May 15, 2008 at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Services were held at Rock West Baptist Church at noon with interment following in Zion West AME Zion Churchyard with the Rev. Ben Davis officiating and James Herbert Funeral Home directing.

He was born December 26, 1940 as the 10th child to the late Cleveland and Mary Allie Thigpen-Palmer Sr. in Forest Home. He united with the Rock West Baptist Church at the age of 13 under the leadership of the late Rev. Sampson Scott. Although Mr. Palmer was absent in presence for many years, he maintained a faithful spiritual presence for every day of every year he was gone.

He married Joanne Warren Palmer in 1963 and moved to Columbus, Ohio where he worked for Anheuser-Busch until retirement. To his marriage, three children were born: Kathy Denise Palmer, Conrad Onward Palmer Jr. and Alanzo Alan Palmer. Even though he lived and worked in Columbus for many years, Forest Home remained near and dear to his heart.

It was the place he expressed to return to upon his death so he could lie in rest near his parents and sibling who preceded him in death.

Conrad’s love for his wife, children, siblings, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews was beyond phenomenal. He gave to them of his time, love, and devotion without conditions or complaint. He was always there to fill the gap no matter what was needed.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Joanne Warren Palmer; daughter, Kathy Denise Palmer; sons, Conrad Onward Palmer Jr. of Columbus and Alanzo Alan (Brigette) Palmer of Bellaire, Ohio; sister, Janie Palmer McQueen of Forest Home; brother, O’Neal (Mary Ann) Palmer of Tuscaloosa; uncle, Ike Akins, of Forest Home; sisters-in-law, Emma (Gomez) Gregory and Ruth Burrgess; brothers-in-law, Robert (Terry) Warren of Pensacola, Eddie Warren, Harold Warren, Johnny (Mary) Warren of Columbus, Ohio, George (Gloria) Warren, Ronnie (Kate) Warren of Greenville and James Warren of Huntsville; nine grandchildren, Alanzo Alan Palmer Jr., Martisa Palmer, Nina Palmer of Bellaire, Ohio, Marquita Robinson, Ashley Ware, Annadrea Ware, Adrienne Ware, Andre Ware, Devon Palmer, Amber Palmer and Brittany Palmer, all of Columbus, Ohio. He also leaves nine great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Conrad had a large and loving family and an even larger collection of friends; everyone of them was special to him. If there are any names not mentioned, please know that no slight was intended. We simply ran out of space to put all of the names of those who were and area forever dear to him.