Barbara Bates Palmer

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 26, 1950, Barbara Palmer is pre-deceased by her mother Bernice Bates, father Robert “Boomer” Bates, brother Robert “Bob” Bates (Marty Vroege) and husband, David E. Palmer. Barbara is survived by her daughter, Brandice E. Palmer, of Gulfport, granddaughter Maddie Kinane of Houston, Texas, brother Brian Bates (Niki Bates) of Fair Oaks, California, and sister-in-law Joan Smola of Middleburg Heights, Ohio, along with several nieces and nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and cousins. Barbara began her career as a teacher at Brunswick High School in Ohio and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, with her family in 1983, where she taught English Literature at Lakewood High School for more than 30 years until her retirement.

As a long-time teacher, Barbara loved her students and words in all their forms, especially in the form of poetry or plays. At Lakewood High School, Barbara was instrumental in the design of an Outdoor Classroom where she hosted poetry readings with her students near a retention pond reclaimed as an outdoor learning and habitat restoration space for plants and animals. Barbara is a graduate of Albion College in Albion, Michigan, and completed graduate coursework at the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2020, Barbara fought the progression of the disease until her final breath on May 1, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Florida. She adored her family, friends and students, singing, swimming and the beach.

A Celebration of Life is planned at Fort De Soto Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., on Sunday, June 28, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Pavillion 15 on East Beach.

Donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at https://tribute.michaeljfox.org/tribute-page.php?id=3558&np=true.