Palmer Jean (Lee) Winchester

Monday, February 25, 2019

Palmer Jean (Lee) Winchester was born to Chester and Elizabeth Lee on July 23, 1950, in Wardell, Mo. Palmer was an educator and it showed through everyone that she came in contact with. She was quiet, but when she had something to say, she said it with no filter. If you ever met her, you would surely remember her. Her kind heart most of all.

She accepted Christ at age of 12 at St. Paul M.B. Church, Homestown, Mo., under the leadership of Rev. Emmanuel Lofton. She served in the capacity at one time or another as choir member, choir secretary, church clerk, Vacation Bible School leader, NAACP member, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, leader, school teacher, mentor and friend.

Palmer was a hard and a diligent worker, those that knew her would say she was always willing to lend a hand. She worked at Plastene Supply Company for 27 years then she retired. She also served as a preschool teacher in the South Pemiscot Headstart System. She received a quality education through North Pemiscot High School; associates degree at Three Rivers Community College, and she graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) with honors, summa cum laude at age 58.

She departed this glorious life on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, at 2:42 p.m. at St. Bernards Medical Center, Jonesboro. Her father, Chester; mother, Elizabeth; and sister, Mary preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Willie Winchester. To this union of 49 years, two children, daughter, Kiesha McGaughy, son, Keith Winchester; grandchildren, Elantra McGaughy, Charlotte, N.C., Tameya Winchester, Honolulu, Hi., Jayna Winchester, Louisville, Ky., Elijah Aaron Winchester-McPhee, Blytheville; a great-grandson, Elliot Christopher Anderson; her brother, Shedrick Lee (MaryAlice) of Fort Wayne, Ind.; brother, David Lee of Columbia, Mo.; sister, Ruby Burden (Frank-deceased) of Homestown, Mo.; sister, Mable Murphy of Columbia, Mo.; sister, Beverly Brown (Michael Craion) of Kansas City, Mo.; brother, Harvey Lee of Homestown, Mo.; sister, Jacqueline Gaines (William) of Columbia, Mo.; and sister, Gwendolyn Lee of Columbia, Mo.; special cousins, JoAnn Shavers and Connie Hamilton, and special friend, James A. Carter, Jr.; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends from 10:-11 a.m. during a visitation hour prior to the funeral service. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 1825 State Hwy. B, Wardell, Mo. Reverend Gary Tobar is the pastor. Reverend Bobby Dean will deliver the eulogy and burial will be in the St. Paul Cemetery.

McDonald-Horne Funeral Directors are in charge of services and arrangements.