Col. Charles Spencer Palmer (U.S. Army, retired) reached out for the hand of God on Sunday, April 30, 2017. He was born Feb. 16, 1938, in Barnsdall, Okla. and grew up in Lebanon, Tenn. He received college degrees from Tennessee Tech with a BS in electrical engineering, a MBA from Northwest Missouri State University and a MS in industrial engineering from the University of Arkansas.

Col. Palmer served 27 years in the U.S. Army. During the first 18 years, he commanded Field Artillery units in the U.S., Germany, France, Netherlands, South Korea and, of course, in South Vietnam. His last nine years were spent as a certified program manager for the research, development and acquisition of Army weapon systems, including four years on the staff and faculty of the Army War College. He was a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College, the Defense Systems Management College and the Army War College. After military service, he taught college math for nine years and was a 15-year member of the Harvest Fellowship Baptist Church, Smithfield.

Col. Palmer leaves to cherish his memories his wife, Patricia Dixon Palmer; son, Brian K. Palmer; and brother, Everett Walter Palmer.

Family and friends will gather for a visitation on Wednesday, May 10 from 5:30 -6 p.m. in Harvest Fellowship followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 6 p.m. with the Rev. Randy Green officiating. A graveside service will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Memorial donations can be made to Harvest Fellowship Baptist Church, 19290 Battery Park Road, Smithfield, VA 23430.
Service arrangements are in the care of Colonial Funeral Home, 14214 Carrollton Blvd. Carrollton. Family and friends are encouraged to share condolences and remembrances at colonialfuneralhomesmithfield.com.