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Ercel Harris Palmer

Ercel was born  3/18/1891. She married married Dale Alfred Palmer of Battle Creek, Michigan on 11/20/1912. The family lived in the Bayview area of Norfolk. Dad remembers Ercel always made him feel welcome in her home. After dinner, everyone would sit in the living room in a circle and talk. He remembers looking out into the street from the Palmer's house and seeing the streetcars go back and forth from Ocean View. Uncle Dale had a dog named Tippi that my Dad liked. He liked the name so much that he decided to name one of his dogs the same thing. 

Wilbur Palmer wrote to me and shared a few things with me about his mother. "Mom lived in various places that Dad's duty took her to: Charleston, SC; St. Thomas, VI; Great Lakes Naval Station (where my sister Barbara was born); Long Beach, CA; Berkeley, VA two or three times; Brooklyn, NY; Colon, Panama; and Norfolk. My Mom learned to cook well from her Mom. And being once on the farm, Mom later canned vegetables and applesauce. She made soft rolls using potatoes, doughnuts, lemon meringue pies, and so many other foods. She washed and dried and ironed Dad's shirts like new, which sometimes had to pass Admiral's inspection. The Admirals could rightly pin a medal on Mom for such excellent shirts. She was very sociable with other officers' wives. Mom was in love with God our Father and Jesus our God the Son. And before every meal had us pray thanks. She kept a clean home, and kept us well clothed. When Dolores went to college at the Women's Teachers College in Greensboro, NC, Mom sewed Dolores's skirts and suit coats using a foot pedal sewing machine. Mom was a good Mom. Thanks to God for her. "

Ercel and Dale had three children:
  • Dale Alfred Jr. (b.1914)
  • Dolores Virginia (b. 8/17/1917)
  • Wilbur Endinger (b. 5/25/1922)
  • Barbara Marguerite (b.1924)

Alfred married Rosalie Wade 8/3/1937. Their children are Joan Lea (1938) and Patricia Ann (1940). Joan married Hugh Nathaniel Old, Jr. 8/3/1957. Their children are Michael (1959), Dale (1961), and Troy (1965). Patty married Paul Hogan on 4/2/1960. Their children are Dana (1963) and Lisa (1967).

Dolores married William Aaron Lord of England on 12/31/1949. No children.

Far left: Barbara and Wilbur in St. Thomas, 
Above: Rosalie Palmer (Alfred's wife), D. Alfred Palmer, Jr., Barbara Palmer
At left: Harris family reunion held April 1, 1951 at the Palmer's home on Chesapeake Blvd. in Norfolk. If anyone wants to help label the people in the picture, please volunteer -- thanks!

 


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