Lorene G. Palmer

Lorene Davenport Palmer, 86, of Las Cruces, NM died April 24, 2007 Aristocrat Assisted Living Center. She was born on August 6, 1920 in Earlsboro, Oklahoma to Lon and Laura Garner. Lorene moved to Long Beach, California in 1941, where she worked in the shipyards during WWII. It was there that she met and married the love of her life, Jess S. Davenport. Together, they built their first home and started Davenport Construction Corporation in Harbor City. They were honored as National Home Builder of the year and were the first construction firm to use lowered lighting in homes. In 1972, both Jess and Lorene retired and moved to Leisure World in Laguna Woods, California. Both loved the many activities available to them and Lorene excelled as an artist in both oil painting and ceramics. She was an officer of the Leisure World shuffleboard association and won many local and state trophies. After the death of her husband of 39 years, Lorene married Ben F. Palmer and continued her Leisure World activities. Lorene's first love was her church and music. She participated in church musical activities, sang in the Jubilaires, and played piano. Mrs. Palmer was Sunday School Superintendent at First Baptist Church, Lomita, taught beginners in both Sunday school and vacation bible school, and sang in the choirs at Narbonne Ave. Baptist Church. She is survived by her daughter, Diane Davenport Schutz and husband John of Las Cruces; Sister, Dean Purdue and husband Gary; Sister-in-law, Norma Garner; 5 grandchildren- Coy Roberts and wife Amy, Cody Roberts and wife Anna, Kristi Roberts and best beau Josh, son Brendan, Tammy Chaffee and husband Jason and Johna Harrison and husband DL. She is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren- Maria Lorene, Sydnie, Hendrix, Zane and Ethan, and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lon and Laura Garner; sister, Juanita Garcia; brother, Lloyd Garner; husband, Jess Davenport; and husband, Ben Palmer. A visitation will be held Thursday April 26, 2007 at Getz Funeral Home from 5-7 PM. The funeral service will be held Friday April 27, 2007 at 2:00 PM at Getz Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Sam Swann officiating. Funeral services in Ranchos Palos Verde, California will be held Monday April 30, 2007 at 9:00 AM at the Green Hills Mortuary Chapel with burial to follow at the Green Hills Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mesilla Valley Concert Band C/O NMSU Music Department Box 3F Las Cruces, NM 88003, In memory of - Lorene G. Palmer. (Diane and John Schutz's mother) PDF Printable Version