Jean Palmer

Wanza Jean Hardin Palmer, 81, passed peacefully December 5, 2024 at Circle of Life Hospice home in Bentonville, Arkansas. The family knows it was her time to go home to be with Bud and our Heavenly Father. Even though we will miss her deeply, she was called to heaven according to God’s plan.

Wanza was born May 30, 1943 in Fort Worth, Texas to Warren Gamaliel Hardin and Molly Edda Delphi Bradley Hardin. “Jean” as everyone called her, lived a long productive life of 60 years in marriage, retiring from Mrs. Baird’s bakery after 26 years of service, and was a military spouse supporting her husband’s service to our country for over 25 years. She was always up for a roadtrip or a camping adventure. Taking the kids and extended family or friends to various national parks, shorelines, and memorials were her favorite memories. She was always ready to share her adventures and plans with a Dr. Pepper in hand and a warm meal. She loved spending time with family and friends over a meal and possibly a game of dominoes or train. Family was always close and bonded through many challenges and celebrations over the years and generations. Some of her most fondest memories were over meals catching up, sharing experiences, and future plans. Every meal she shared was from the heart, so love was always her secret ingredient.

When she retired from Mrs. Baird’s she owned and operated her own Ceramics shop. Jean had a love of creating and painting. This really showed in the beautiful pieces she and Bud created and shared together. Through ceramics she and Bud made some wonderful friendships along the way. 

Her favorite pastimes included gardening, crocheting, and cooking. She made and decorated cakes as her children were growing up. Made gifts and goodies to share with family and friends throughout the year. And She always had homemade Christmas ornaments on the tree and crocheted stockings on the fireplace mantle. Her yearly Christmas goodie containers and platters were looked forward to each year. Making and gifting Christmas candies and cookies during the holiday season each year became a family tradition. She passed down her love of gardening, cooking, and handicrafts to her daughter and son, as well as her granddaughter. In her later years reading novels, finishing sudoku and other puzzle books, and crocheting were her favorite past times. She would tell those she gave an afghan or baby blanket to, it was a big hug from her. She made a lot of stuffed animals as well as baby blankets. Some were donated to children’s wards at her local hospitals, others made their way to grand and great grand nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by both her parents, Warren Gamaliel Hardin and Molly Edda Delphi Bradley Hardin, and husband, Elba Otis Palmer II. Survivors include her daughter, Deborah Kay Palmer Albright and husband David F, granddaughter, Kaitlyn Rebecca Albright Johnson and husband Christopher, son Rick Eugene Palmer and wife Jaime, and sister Sharon Dobbs. Extended family includes eight nephews and nieces and eleven great nephews and nieces. 

One of the things that stuck with her each time talking with her daughter before passes was she was ready to “go home.” Words that resonated throughout her life. Each housing was made a home for her family with every military move. Her love and faith were her strongest virtues. She loved fiercely and always had faith that God would see and guide them through any and all challenges and celebrations. She was a true homemaker because Her family was her home. Bud was her home. And now she’s coming back home to stay.