Ruth May (Ray) Palmer, 86, of Sandown, NH passed away Wednesday, November 10,2021 at High Pointe Hospice in Haverhill, MA, after a lengthy illness. Ruth was born on April 26,1935 in East Kington, NH. She was the daughter and only child of Chester Arthur and Georgie Mae (Millbury) Ray. Ruth grew up in Sandown, NH and attended Sandown public schools.
In her youth, she was active in the local 4-H club; sang in the St. Matthew’s United Methodist Choir; and served as an assistant Girl Scout leader. Ruth was very close to her father, Chet, who taught her how to drive his home-made tractor and how to operate a backhoe.
She met the love of her life, Manford H. Palmer, Jr. at her grandfather Millbury’s farm in Rocks Village (East Haverhill), MA. In 1948, when she was 13 and he was 16 years old. It was love at first sight! They were married on August 22, 1952. Thirteen days later, Mannie was drafter into the U.S. Army and whisked away from her. After his basic training, Ruth joined Mannie at Camp Breckenridge, KY. They lived on or near Army bases in Kentucky, Virginia and Maryland, while Mannie served in the Motor Pool during the Korean War.
While living in Kentucky, Ruth and Manny both professed faith in Jesus Christ as savior and LORD at a Baptist Church in Morganfield. The church family received them warmly and made them feel at home.
Following his discharge from the Army in 1954, Mannie and Ruth returned to Sandown, where they built their first home on Hampstead Road, next to Ruth’s parents’ home. In 1969, they moved to 61 Sargent Road in Sandown, where they spent the rest of their lives.
After his stomach cancer surgery in 1972, Mannie and Ruth become active in the Newton Junction Baptist Church, where his brother Everett was the pastor. Together they served on the Diaconate for nearly 30 years. They were also very active in the Adult Sunday School, which Mannie taught for many years.
Ruth and Mannie enjoyed 56 years of marriage prior to his death in October,2008. Ruth is survived by her sons, Kevin Lee Palmer and Michael Kevin Palmer, her granddaughters, Ruby McConnachie, Crystal McConnachie and Bonnie Morrison and great grandson, MacKenzie Arthur Morrison. She was predeceased by her daughter, Donna McConnachie in 2019.
There are no calling hours.
After cremation, the family is planning services for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Newton Junction Baptist Church, P.O. box 206, Newton Junction, NH03859-0206. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium is assisting the family.