Tallulah Palmer Obituary (1952 - 2022)

Tallulah Palmer departed this life on Saturday, August 13, 2022 peacefully, after her courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Tallulah was born on October 12, 1952 to Roy Lee Barnes and Mildred Hortense Barnes, in Franklin, Virginia. She was raised by her Great Aunt, Ms. Lillian Turner until she finished high school. Upon graduating from Windsor High School (1971) in Windsor, Virginia she later moved to Jamaica, New York joining her family. On January 16th, 1972, Tallulah married Jon G. Palmer, a musician in Jamaica (Queens), New York. Their love story began with a shared musical journey. They went on to have two children, Troi A. Palmer and Ataya J. Palmer. They were married for fifty years. Tallulah briefly attended Fashion Institute in New York City--then went on to become a legal secretary assisting high leveled senior partners at several prestigious law firms in: New York City, Long Island, New York and lastly on K Street in Washington, DC., for more than 40 years. In 2011, Tallulah retired and spent time enjoying adult coloring and cooking gourmet foods. In her earlier years she loved gardening, flower arranging, sewing, and the beauty of nature. As a young girl she quickly learned to "press hair", type over 100 words per minute and take dictation in shorthand (Gregg style). She played gospel/classical piano and sometimes accompanied her eldest sister at church events. Over countless number of years, she passionately researched and traced the history of the Williams/Barnes families ancestry. She would often call the elders in the family and speak with them at length, while being fascinated with their storytelling of family history and lots of "secrets." Ultimately, she produced a family scroll starting from the 1860's - 2000's. She wanted all the family, especially the future generations to know their families history-- and felt a calling to complete this assignment. Tallulah also endlessly collected thousands of family photos, and began to organize and archive them with her family up until she became ill. The bond with her family was inseparable and she knew how blessed she was to share so much love with her husband, son, daughter, daughter-in-law and grand children. She often spoke of how very proud she was of her family's accomplishments--and how much she loved them. Tallulah was predeceased by her parents; Roy Lee Barnes and Mildred Hortense Barnes, and oldest sister, Lynette Copeland. She is survived by her husband Jon Palmer, son Troi Palmer, daughter Ataya Palmer and daughter-in-law Bridget Palmer; grandchildren: Desmon A. Palmer and Sydney J. Palmer; four sisters: Millicent Hagans, Jacqueline Pugh, Gloria Jenkins and Sylvia Barnes and a great number of aunts, uncles, nephews, a step niece, great nieces/nephews, cousins and friends. Tallulah or LuLu or Lu--your everlasting spirit of warmth and kindness as a gentle soul will continue to spread love in our hearts and souls when we say your name. You shall be missed and your legacy of our family storytelling shall always be remembered and continued! Our beloved Tallulah--may you rest peacefully!