ELWOOD PALMER "WOODY"

Elwood Palmer, also known as “Woody,” was born at Barberton Hospital on November 8, 1950 to the late Garfield and Aleia Palmer. He graduated from Barberton High School in 1969 where he played both football and basketball, and then attended the University of Akron. He later joined the United States Army receiving an honorable discharge.

On September 30, 1972, Elwood married Teresa (Meadows) the love of his life and was recently blessed to celebrate their 50thwedding anniversary. His greatest joy was being a kind and loving partner. He was a devoted, caring father of five children, and an amazing papa to his nine grandchildren. Woody chose to live a Godly life and taught his children to do so too. He showed them how to work hard and treat people with respect. 

Early in his career, he was employed with Seiberling Tire & Rubber Company, was an Auxiliary Policemen for the Barberton Police Department, and worked at FW Albrecht Grocery for ten years as a Distribution Manager. 

He was inducted into the Barberton Sports Hall of Fame in 1992 for football and basketball, and received the President’s Award in 2013.  He became the first dual Chrysler award winner with his son Dr. Anthony Palmer. Woody also served as Lieutenant Governor for the Ohio District Kiwanis where he presided over numerous districts for one year, as well as the President of Barberton Chapter of Kiwanis for one year.

In 2018 he received the Game Changer award, which recognized Elwood’s sixteen years of making a difference and serving his community as an appointed Service Director under three different mayors, and his work as a Third Ward Council for south Barberton for three terms. He always made sure to do the right thing and to help and mentor others. 

While he remained an active lifetime member of the Barberton NAACP, some of his other noteworthy accomplishments were sitting on various boards such as Barberton Community Foundation, Summa Barberton Hospital, and Barberton Teen Center.

Elwood turned his hobby into a second career by starting Palmers Professional Service with his wife Teresa where they both ran a successful photography and catering business for over thirty-five years. He had an enormous interest in photography and studied it well. He was so honored when asked to photograph any event. You would often find him standing in the shadows-camera in hand taking photographs careful not to disturb the event, but only there to capture that “special moment” in time. 

We are really going to miss him but are comforted in knowing “that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” He is forever resting peacefully in the arms of God. 

He is survived by his loving wife Teresa Palmer, and preceded in death by his loving father, Garfield Palmer, mother, Aleia Palmer, in-laws, Robert and Alfreda Meadows, and brother, Garfield Rackley. He leaves to cherish his memory, five children, Tracie Oden, Charisse Palmer, Dr. Anthony Palmer (Beth), Aris Sutton (Albert), Kindell May (late Rommell), nine grandchildren (Morgan Palmer, Amari Sutton, Jocelyn May, Arion Sutton, Caden Palmer, Zoe Palmer, Ty Palmer, Aaren Sutton, Elijah May), and loving brother-in-law, Robert (late Theresa) Meadows, sister-in-law, Alicia Meadows, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 12:00 P.M. at Barberton High School Auditorium, 555 Barber Rd. Barberton, OH 44203 where family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until time of service. 

The Palmer Family wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many comforting messages, calls, tributes, prayers, and expression of kindness they continue to receive. If you wish to send any cards, please mail Teresa Palmer @ 5651 Bedford Loop E, Southaven, MS 38672.

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