Mr. Clarence Russell Palmer, age 85, of 32702 Austin Road, New London, NC, passed away on Friday, August 12th, 2011 at Stanly Regional Medical Center in Albemarle, NC.  His funeral will be at 2 PM on Sunday, August 14th, 2011 in Stanly Funeral Home's Chapel and his family will receive friends from 12:30 PM to 1:45 PM just prior to the hour of service.  Rev. Tab Whitley will officiate and burial will be in Plyler Baptist Church Cemetery with full military graveside rites conducted by the Stanly County DAV Ritual Team.

Born November 16th, 1925 in Davidson County, NC, Mr. Palmer was the son of the late Brantley Walter and Adelia Sharpe Palmer and was a graduate of Millingport High School.  He was a retired painter and member of Plyler Baptist Church.  He also was a Veteran of the US Navy and served during World War II. 

Mr. Palmer is survived by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Almond Palmer; daughter, Dianne Palmer Joyce and husband Steve of Denver, NC; two grandchildren, Brian Crawford and wife Krystal and Amy Crawford DeBerry; and six great-grandchildren: Bailee DeBerry, Ethan DeBerry, Gavin Hummell, Bristol Crawford, Weston Crawford, and Coby Crawford.  Mr. Palmer was preceded in death by his son, Tony Russell Palmer, and daughter, Sherrie Dean Palmer Crawford.