By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–The family of the late Jean Palmer was on hand at Tuesday evening’s meeting of the Henry County Commission meeting for the proclamation-reading honoring Mrs. Palmer for her service to the county. Henry County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway also presented Mrs. Palmer with the Loyal Patriot Award posthumously–the Loyal Patriot Award is the highest honor that the county can bestow.
Jean Palmer–whose full name was Lima Jean Howard Palmer–served two terms on the commission and was the first woman and the first African-American on the commission.
She also served with great honor as a Private with the only all-female, all-African-American Women Army Corps Unit –the 6888th Postal Directory Battalion during World War II. Her unit was deployed overseas to Birmingham, England and Rouen, France.
Mrs. Palmer passed away on February 6, 1984 at the age of 60 and is buried in Maplewood Cemetery.
County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway said, “It’s a great day when you can honor someone who broke barriers.” The proclamation noted that Mrs. Palmer was a Central High graduate and attended Toler’s Business School in Paris, was a member of Quinn Chapel AME Church and served on several boards in the county.
–Ridgeway also recognized Commissioner Rev. Kenneth Humphreys who was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award on Friday by the Paris-Henry County Bicentennial Committee for his contributions as a musical educator.
–Ridgeway also publicly thanked Deputy Ricky Wade for his life-saving actions earlier Tuesday at the courthouse. Ridgeway said there was a medical emergency involving a citizen who came to the courthouse and praised Wade’s quick actions, as well as Deputy Higgins and Tim Caldwell. The courthouse defrillator was used as was CPR. “We’re blessed in this courthouse to have Deputy Wade here. He jumped into action and made a difference today.”
Wade received a standing ovation.
Photo: County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway, second from left, presents the Loyal Patriot Award and proclamation to family members of Jean Palmer. Shannon McFarlin photo.