Donna R. Palmer, 87, of Jackson, formerly of Monett, Missouri, passed away Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born March 16, 1934, in Taft, California, to Joe and Edith Long Kenney. She and Hubert Palmer were married Jan. 7, 1953, in Joplin, Missouri. They had been married 64 years when Hubert passed away Aug. 21, 2017.

Before retiring to keep her grandchildren, she worked several years as an O.B. tech at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She later worked as a greeter at Walmart in Jackson.

Donna was an avid gardener. She especially liked African violets and could grow them with little effort. She was an avid Cardinals baseball fan and a collector of McDonald's toys. She had a special connection with her grandchildren and they have fond memories of the special treats she kept for them.

Loving survivors include five children, Steven (Susan) Palmer of Kansas City, Missouri, Donald (Diana) Palmer of Cape Girardeau, Clifford (Jeri) Palmer, Russell (Charlynda) Palmer and Kathryn (Tim) Sievers, all of Jackson; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three siblings, Joyce (J.B.) Chapman and Jolene Bremer, both of Pierce City, Missouri, and Carol (the late Darrel) Hukriede of Republic, Missouri; and a brother-in-law, J.D. (the late Leta) Cole of Clovis, New Mexico.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and two siblings, James Kenney and Leta Cole.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The family will honor Donna with a private graveside service.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the "Tribute Wall" tab of Donna's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.