House Resolution 18

A RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. CARLTON D. "CORKY" PALMER, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. Carlton D. "Corky" Palmer, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family, friends and community; and

WHEREAS, born on March 15, 1954, to Mr. Carl "Punchie" and Mrs. Dorothy S. Palmer, Mr. Palmer graduated from Hattiesburg High School in 1972, and from there, he graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a degree in coaching and athletic administration, and where he played baseball and served as co-captain his senior year, and later, he obtained his master's degree in education from William Carey University; and

WHEREAS, throughout his outstanding coaching career, Mr. Palmer served as head coach at Columbus Lee High School, Columbia High School, and Meridian Community College, where he guided his team to the D1 Juco World Series Final at Grand Junction, Colorado, and the University of Southern Mississippi, where in his final year, he led the team to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, and to honor his many contributions as a beloved figure in the Hattiesburg baseball scene, he was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2011; and

WHEREAS, devoted to his faith, Mr. Palmer, along with his wife, was an active member of Providence Baptist Church, where he served on the finance committee and pastor search committee, and his favorite scripture passage was Philippians 4:6-7; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon his arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, such as his parents, Mr. Carl "Punchie" Palmer and Mrs. Dorothy S. Palmer, and brother, Dale M. Palmer; the legacy of Mr. Palmer's indelible imprint upon our lives will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his loved ones, including his wife, Mrs. Deborah Bonnett Palmer; brothers, Ted Palmer and Mike "Bodie" Palmer; a number of nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and dear friends; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Palmer will forever be loved, cherished and missed by all who knew him, and since it is written in 2 Corinthians 5:8, that to be "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord," his family and friends can find peace and comfort during this difficult time; and

WHEREAS, a genuine man of exceptional character, Mr. Palmer's outstanding legacy will continue for generations to come, and precious memories of time spent with him will hopefully continue to provide warmth, peace and comfort to his loved ones; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the lives of great Mississippians, especially those such as Mr. Palmer, a man whose life's light illuminated the path of hope for all he encountered along this earthly sojourn:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and honor the life and legacy of Mr. Carlton D. "Corky" Palmer, and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Carlton D. "Corky" Palmer, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.