Rev. J. Harold Palmer, Bishop of the Church of God, Dies at 87

Rev. J. Harold Palmer, 87, of Connelly Springs, North Carolina, passed away on October 18, 2025, at Amorem Hospice of Valdese. He was born on June 19, 1938, in Haywood County, the son of Harley Vaughn Palmer and Magola Caldwell Palmer.

Rev. Palmer dedicated over five decades of his life to service within the Church of God, serving as a bishop and leading congregations across multiple states. His ministry included churches in Parsons, Kansas; Ridgeway, Virginia; and various locations in Pennsylvania, Florida, and North Carolina. He also held leadership roles within the State Council for the Church of God and served as a district overseer.

A veteran of the United States Navy, Rev. Palmer served as a Corpsman. In his free time, he enjoyed outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting, and he was an avid bowler. His life was marked by a deep commitment to his family and his faith community.

Rev. Palmer was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Edward and Eunice Palmer. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Geretha Mae Gardin Palmer; two children, Denise Green and Rev. Jeff Palmer; eleven grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.

The family will hold a visitation on October 22, 2025, at East Marion Pentecostal Holiness Church, followed by a funeral service officiated by Rev. Melvin Shuler and Dr. Cornelius Ogundele. Interment will take place at Garrett Hillcrest Memorial Park in Waynesville.

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