Pastor Leonard C. Palmer Sr.

PALMER, Pastor Leonard C. - Age 77, passed away Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at his residence. Family hour 10:30 AM Thursday, November 16, 2017 at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 8095 W. Frances Rd., Flushing, MI, with funeral services commencing at 11AM. Eld. Matthew Davis, officiating. Interment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, G-9506 N. Dort Hwy. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 AM Thursday. Pastor Palmer will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM Wednesday, with the family present from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM to receive friends. To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under Heaven. (Ecclesiastes Chapter 3) The seasons of Leonard Charles Palmer, Sr., the son of Raymond Palmer and Annie Gay began February 11, 1940 in Tallahassee, Oklahoma. Leonard attended Flint Public Schools, graduating from Flint Northern. He enjoyed spending his summers in Oklahoma with his grandmother and cousins. He married his wife, Juanita in 1968, combining families into one loving home. Leonard’s education included earning his 1 and 3 year diplomas from Flint Bible Institute, Bachelor of Theology from Slidell Baptist Seminary and pursuing his Master of Theology from Andersonville Seminary. Seasons of military services and work included, Leonard’s service in the United States Army 82nd Airborne Division. Leonard worked for General Motors beginning in 1961 until retirement in 1998, earning his Journeyman’s card and working as an Electrician serving as a member of UAW Local 659. Leonard’s season of parenting in love included biological children and those chosen. He was a father, mentor, and friend to all in need. He leaves to cherish his memory: one brother, James Wheeler Sr.; his children, Michael Greene of Montrose, MI, Phillip (Vanessa) Greene of Grandville, MI, Liz (Craig) Roman of Arlington, TX, Robyn Cobbin of Flushing, MI, Leonard Palmer, Jr. of Flint, MI, Lanean Adams of Flint, MI, Anna (LaDarryl) Johnson of Flint, MI, Lonell (Chanan) Edwards of Novi, MI; Leonard had 17 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, Quayondra Smith, Pleshette (Elliott) Ruiz, Priscilla (Matthew) Alexander, Philana Greene, LaVana Greene, Natavia Palmer, Darryl (Candice) Adams, Avery Adams, Brandon Adams, Christian Edwards, Colin Edwards, Charlie Edwards, Selena Johnson, Ashley Johnson, Treveno Dudley, Taquan Cobbin, Eric Cobbin, Ronnie Hopson; Great Grands- Alexus Strodder, Lawrence Gramse, Jr., SeMira Roman, Cambria Adams; and a host of nephews, cousins and lifelong friends. In his season of spiritual service in love, Rev. Palmer participated in the jail ministry and witnessing teams of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. His favorite song leading him to join these groups was “Do Not Pass Me By”. In 1998, after retiring from General Motors, Leonard became a Chaplain for Forgotten Man Ministries, starting the Bay County-Chapter. Leonard became Pastor for New Hope Missionary Baptist Church after the passing of James L. Hoyle. The season of loving service included many years of battling illness yet Rev. Palmer continued to serve Forgotten Man Ministries, New Hope Church as Pastor, and True Light Missionary Baptist Church as bible class instructor. He loved each and every assignment and person. You were and are family! “A time to weep”; Leonard was preceded in death by his wife-Juanita Palmer, Mother-Annie Wheeler, father-Raymond Palmer and stepfather- Albert Wheeler. “A time to love”; Leonard leaves a legacy to be upheld by his family, spiritual families of New Hope, True Light, Community Fellowship churches, and the Montrose Community. The family would like to express thanks to: our lifelong neighbor and family, Erma Bell, the staff of Davita Dialysis, the staff of Triumph Cancer Center, MiYong and Gary Beslaer, Clergy members Matthew Davis, Eddie Chaney, Robert Rushing, James Green Jr., and the New Hope and True Light church families. Leonard will be remembered for his unwavering devotion to God and family while honoring the “test” in the testimony. Leonard’s testimony is not in the earthly healing that was prayed for but rather in the completion of the good fight, finishing the race, and keeping the faith. Everyone knows that dad was always “fine” but today he is perfect and we rejoice in knowing that he has been received by his Heavenly Father because “precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”

Pastor Leonard C. Palmer Sr.

February 11, 1940 - November 7, 2017