The Northeast Georgia community is mourning the loss of a beloved educator and friend. Dr. Sylvia Bowen Palmer passed away on Wednesday, June 3. She was 85 years old.
Dr. Palmer was instrumental in establishing the Habersham Christian Learning Center (HCLC) in Mt. Airy. She started it with a group of community members and churches and was HCLC’s first director. In the 1980s, Palmer grew the center into a vibrant hub of Christian learning, building on the knowledge and experience she gained working at the Gainesville Christian Ed Center in Hall County [now Center Point].
The centers teach Bible and Christian concepts to high school students. “At least half of our students were unchurched when they first enrolled,” Palmer said in a recent interview, reflecting on her early work in Gainesville. Because of her efforts, Center Point also added counseling services.
In later years, Sylvia Palmer served on the Habersham County Board of Education and taught at North Georgia Technical College until the age of eighty-one.
From lab partners to life partners
During the 1950s, Palmer attended what was then Truett McConnell Junior College. It was there she met her husband Gerald, a commuting student from Habersham Mills who had finished four years in the Navy. In a 2018 interview with TMU’s Jenny Gregory, Palmer recounted how they met.
“He was wanting to exempt zoology because he had already learned that in the medical department of the Navy, so I boldly asked him to be my zoology partner if I had to take it.”
When Palmer graduated from Truett McConnell Junior College in 1955, she left with much more than when she came.
“I left with more awareness of Jesus being the center of my life, more confidence in developing any potentials I had, a six-inch ping pong trophy as the girls ping pong champ, and a 6’2” fiancé,” Palmer said.
After completing their bachelor’s degrees at Mercer University, the couple wed. Sylvia pursued her career in Christian education. Gerald served 31 years as the Human Resources Director for Fieldale Farms. The Palmers were married for 58 years. He passed away in 2015.
Lasting impact
In her retirement, following her husband’s death, Sylvia decided to do something she had wanted to do for a long time. She returned to Truett McConnell University to pursue her Master of Arts in Theology.
“If I can do it, then anybody can do it,” she told Gregory. “God can take an extremely shy person with average intelligence and accomplish a lot.”
With the various degrees that she earned and the deep knowledge she possessed it would be easy to challenge Palmer’s self-characterization of having “average intelligence,” but no one can dispute the significant, lasting impact she had on people’s lives.
Her influence is evidenced by the tributes many have posted since learning of her death.
“She was a great example for many young people in Habersham County. Thankful for her impact and influence,” writes Martha Reabold. “Truly an incredibly remarkable woman, such an inspiration to so many,” adds Lisa Oliver. Brand Ward writes, “I loved Mrs. Palmer!! Such a sweet kind hearted Christian lady!! She will be missed.”
In addition to the community that loved and embraced her, Sylvia Palmer leaves behind two sons and five grandchildren.
Due to virus concerns, regular funeral services will be postponed until a later date. Her family says “Later, we plan to have a party of which she would approve.”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Habersham Christian Learning Center, P. O. Box 427, Cornelia, GA 30531; or Truett-McConnell College, 100 Alumni Drive, Cleveland, GA, 30528, or Cornelia Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 165, Cornelia, GA 30531.
