February 23, 2014

Katherine (Kathie) Roberts Palmore, 55, of Gulfport, Miss., unexpectedly passed away February 23, 2014 in St Petersburg, Fla., during her sleep.

Kathie was born on October 10, 1958 in Orlando, Fla., to father, Gene and mother, Wadena Roberts. She was the oldest of three and sister to Jamee Callahan, and brother Kevin Roberts. She graduated from Picayune High School in 1976 and from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1980. While attending Southern Miss, she met her husband Carroll Palmore. They married 2 years later on August 2, 1980 at Goodyear Baptist Church in Picayune. Soon she found herself married to a military serviceman. Over her time with her husband in the military she lived in six different countries and five states before settling down in Gulfport, MS in 2013. She was a teacher to students with physical handicaps and volunteered at many organizations around the world.

Kathie loved being an Air Force spouse; it gave her the opportunity to meet and make lots of new friends world wide. She was a mentor to countless spouses of military members and touched the hearts of all she interacted with. Kathie was a pillar of strength through many moves and deployments, and always kept the family on track. She was actively involved as an adult leader with scouts for 30 years and was a constant reader of books. She really enjoyed singing in the church choir and had a beautiful singing voice. Above all, she was a phenomenal wife, mother, and nana and took care of her whole family with lots of passion, caring, and love. She was the epitome of the “soccer mom” and encouraged her children in every aspect of their lives.

Kathie was one of the most generous people around and had a knack of knowing what people needed and how to take care of them. She took care of family, friends, or anybody in need. The world has lost a truly great lady with the passing of Kathie Palmore.

Kathie is survived by: her adoring and heart-broken husband of 33 years, Col Carroll A. Palmore, Jr, USAF, (ret); her loving children: Meredith Woodward married to Thomas Woodward, Capt Michael Palmore, USAF married to Amber Palmore, and Morgan Palmore; her grandchildren, Lillianna Thomas-Palmore, and Abigail Palmore; her parents, Gene and Wadena Roberts; and her siblings, Jamee Callahan married to Harold Callahan, and Kevin Roberts. In addition, she will be sorely missed by her faithful pup, Petey.

A service celebrating Kathie’s life will be held on March 1, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Goodyear Baptist Church. Kathie was very involved in US scouting in Europe and was planning to be on staff at the summer camps in Switzerland and Germany this year. In lieu of flowers, Kathie would have wished to have donations sent in memorial to the Transatlantic Council of the Boy Scouts of America through http://tac-bsa.kintera.org/Friends-of-scouting

Kathie was the foundation of the Palmore family and will be sorely missed.