Inez Elester Palmer (Stewart)

Inez Elester Stewart was born on May 10, 1928 to the late Bailey Stewart and Annie Savage Stewart in Nassowadox, Virginia. Inez was the second born of six children. Her siblings, Dorothy Stewart, Virginia Stewart, Willie Stewart, Mildred Rowley, and Edward Stewart all preceded her in death. Inez received her formal education in Northampton County, Virginia, through grade 8. Inez moved to Delaware in 1951 and met Vernon Cook, with whom she had her first child, Carol Ann Stewart Cook in 1954. While in Delaware, she met and would eventually marry Henry L. Palmer, Sr. they were married on April 2, 1964. From this union they conceived one son, Henry L. Palmer, Jr. They would remain happily married until her death. In the late 70’s, Inez would give her life to Christ and would become a faithful servant of God and a faithful member of the Clarence Street Church of God. Inez would serve in the church as a choir member, usher, deaconess, praise dancer (Women of Judah) and cook. Her favorite song was “One Day at a Time” and she loved to march in the Ladies Choir. Sister Inez loved to dress for church and through her bargain shopping; she would dress others, as well. Inez would call Clarence Street her home for over 40 years, up until her transition to her heavenly home. Although Inez did not have to work outside of the home, and took pride in being a wife and homemaker, she chose to spend her working years cooking at different establishments around Seaford. Most notably, were the Seaford Head Start, The Dairy Bar and J & J Restaurant in Concord. Inez was a superb cook, who cooked without recipes. She was famous for her fried chicken, dumplings and those good old yeast rolls! Sister Inez would cook and deliver dinner to many of her Clarence Street brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as, cook and sell dinners to raise money for various reasons, usually to benefit the church. On Saturday mornings, she could be found at one of three places: a yard sale, Route 13 Flea Market, and her second home, the Nellie B. Allen Curiosity Shop. She would faithfully visit these places to find bargains for herself and bargains to share with others. At 89 years old, Inez departed this life on November 28, 2017 at Lofland Park Center Nursing Home in Seaford. She leaves to cherish her memories, her husband of 53 years, Henry L. Palmer, Sr.; her children, Carol Kellam (Jennings), and Henry L. Palmer, Jr. (Wende); grandchildren, Chandra, whom she raised for 8 years, DeShawn, Brittany, Inez, Zoe, Jada, Clevon, Kecia, and Sheryl; ten great grandchildren, including the eldest of these, Maya, who became her grandmother’s personal manicurist. Inez also leaves two sisters-in-law, Antha Stewart (NY), Miriam Stewart (NC), and one brother-in-law, Robert Rowley (VA); 7 special stepdaughters, Nita, Loretta, Barbara, Peaches, Vera, Theresa and Laverne. Inez adopted several children and called them her godchildren. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Inez Elester Palmer (Stewart), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Inez Elester Palmer (Stewart)

May 10, 1928 - November 28, 2017