Robert Palmer

Reverend Robert L. Palmer, Sr., a retired former Pastor and devoted servant of God, peacefully passed away in his home in Zanesville, Ohio on May 5, 2025, at the age of 99.

A devoted servant of God, Rev. Palmer, seeking to serve in the proper capacity was called and licensed to preach in 1978 by the Presiding Elders of the Ohio Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. He pastored multiple churches throughout Ohio, such as: Bethel AME Church of Barnesville, Ohio; Shaffer Chapel AME Church of Cambridge, Ohio; St. Mark AME Church of Columbus, Ohio; Associate Pastor at St. Paul AME Church of Columbus, Ohio; and in 2014, as a retired pastor, he returned to his beloved home of St. Paul AME Church in Zanesville, Ohio, serving and assisting the Senior Pastor in any way he could.

His path began with serving his country in the United States Navy, being Honorably Discharged in 1946 and was employed by AT&T Phone Company for 34 years, ending as a central office foreman.

He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George P. Palmer, Sr. and he was the devoted husband to Dorothy Imogene Branson (deceased) of Zanesville, Ohio with whom he raised three sons: Robert Lee, Jr. (deceased), Richard E. (Christina) and Donald B. Palmer (Lisa). Rev. Palmer was also married to Mrs. Lucile A. F. Louden (deceased) of Columbus, Ohio, and became stepfather to Anita Morris (deceased), Rosalind Glover (Otis), Richard Pace (Denna), Denise Pace, Beverly Pinkston (Mark-deceased), and Lummie Pace, Ill (deceased). Returning to Zanesville, Rev. Palmer united with an endearing special friend and beloved companion, Veronica Barnett. He had three brothers, Theodore D. Palmer, Douglas E. Palmer (Maryjane), George Phillip Palmer Jr. (Becky) and two sisters, Gwendolyn M. Busy (deceased) (David-deceased), Helen M. Burns (deceased) (Carl). Although driven by his many duties and service, he always found time for his family and cherished the great times they all had together.

After his retirement he continued to live up to his motto, “If I can help somebody as I travel along the way, then my work for the Lord has not been in vain.”

A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held on May 17th, 11:00 AM, at St. Paul AME Church, 561 Pine Street, Zanesville, Ohio 43701, presided by Rev. Clifton R. Kilpatrick, Pastor of St. Paul AME Church, where the family will receive friends 10:00 AM unitl the time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul AME. Church. Arrangements entrusted to CALIMAN FUNERAL SERVICES. WWW.CALIMANFUNERALSERVICES.COM