Florine Mahone Palmer of Newport News, formerly of Seaford, York County, Va., died on Sept. 26, 2014 at the age of 94.
She was a native of Newport News, born of her parents, Robert B. Mahone and Molly D. Mahone, on April 14, 1920.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 73 years, Charles L. Palmer; her son, Robert R. Palmer and his wife Mary of Midlothian, Va.; her daughter, C. Lynn Palmer Ripley and her husband Robert of Gloucester, Va.; four grandchildren; one step-grandchild; six great-grandchildren; two nieces and one nephew.
She was preceded in death by her son, Charles L. Palmer Jr. of Grass Valley, Cal.; sister, Mildred Mahone Joy of Lompoc, Cal., and her sister, Mrs. Geraldine Mahoney of Oklahoma City, Okla.
She retired in 1981 as an elementary teacher at Robert E. Lee School in Hampton. In appreciation of her many years as a teacher she was awarded a lifetime PTA membership by the Lee School PTA following her retirement. After retirement, her love of children was evident as she substituted another 15 years as requested by teachers at Robert E. Lee, Tucker-Capps and Bryan schools.
In retirement, she became a lifetime member of the VA Retirement Assn., and a member of the Hampton and York County Retired Teachers Assn. For many years she enjoyed her association with members of the VFWC activities. She was a former member of the Colonial Place Woman’s Club in Hampton, a member and past president of the Woman’s Club of Seaford and a member of the Yorktown Woman’s Club. She also served as Docent for the Yorktown Watermen’s Museum for many years beginning in 1981.
As a member of Zion United Methodist Church, she was involved in many ministries. She served as Lay Leader, Chairman of Council of Ministries, United Methodist Women unit president, coordinator of Zion UMW Church Missions. As an officer on UMW Peninsula District she served four years as coordinator of Global Concerns and then four years as Vice President Peninsula District UMW, as well as coordinator of Education and Interpretation of UMW for Zion UMC.
She attended Westhampton College after graduation from Newport News High School in 1938, and was active for many years in the local Alumni Assn. Later she graduated from ODU and received a BS Degree in Elementary Education. It was being in the classroom with her students, where she touched the lives of so many young people, that made her feel fulfilled.
As a member of Hampton Roads Power Squadron and Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 63, she and her husband Charlie enjoyed many years of cruising on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Their children enjoyed the many outings they had as a family when they were growing up in Hampton.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, at Zion United Methodist Church, Seaford. Burial will be private in Peninsula Memorial Park.
The family received friends from 5-7 p.m. at Amory Funeral Home on Monday, Sept. 29, 2014.
Memorial donations may be made to Zion United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 240, Seaford, Va. 23696.