Mildred Elaine French Persons Palmer

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Mildred Elaine French Persons Palmer 1935 – 2020

“Elaine” was born in Birmingham, AL to Charles Haywood & Mary Mildred Eloise Brummitt French. Elaine’s great appreciation for music began while singing in the choir at a young age as a member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Birmingham and was an active participant in many church activities, along with her sister Jane, while growing up there. Elaine graduated from high school in 1954 in Jefferson Co., AL. She went on to attend Birmingham-Southern College majoring in elementary education, was a member of Alpha Chi Omega and graduated in 1957. While attending college Elaine worked at the Birmingham News where her father was Circulation Manager. Her teaching career started in Birmingham City Schools. She met her future husband, Frank Stanford Persons, III while serving as a counselor at Camp McDowell. Elaine and “Stan” were married at the Church of the Advent in 1958. Stan was a newly ordained Episcopal Priest in Montgomery, AL. They resided in Montgomery until Stan accepted a position at St. Paul’s Parish, Foley, AL, then later on moved to St. Peter’s Church, Bon Secour and St. Paul’s Chapel, Magnolia Springs, AL. Elaine raised their eventually 4 children, joyfully sang in the choir and assisted in numerous church activities during these years. Elaine later taught 1st grade at Swift School Elementary, Bon Secour, AL. She went on to teach “Title 1” students at Foley, Elementary until her retirement - many young students became confident and loved in her classrooms. Elaine tirelessly supported: PTA at each school their 4 children attended, AEA, the South Baldwin Literacy Council, her churches, Ecumenical Ministries, Episcopal Relief and Development, Foley Marching Band, and her community. After Stan’s death in 1996, Elaine remarried to Dr. Stephen Donald Palmer, retired pediatrician of Birmingham and Sylacauga, AL. They resided in Magnolia Springs. Elaine is survived by her beloved 4 children: Anna Persons Price (Terry Price), Charles Stanford Persons (the late Kathy Stump Persons), Ellen Persons Corte (Albert Corte, DVM), Katie Persons Johnson (Commander Brent Johnson, R-USN) Grandchildren: Chad Fleming, Amanda Montz, Nicholas Persons, Sarah Persons, Justin Fleming, Laura Price, Caroline Price, Walt Johnson, Olivia Johnson and Annalee Johnson. Great Grandchildren: Colton Lopasser, Hayes Lopasser, Abbie Ables and Harleigh Persons

Due to COVID-19, Elaine’s graveside service at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Bon Secour, AL was attended by immediate family only on July 13th, 2020.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in honor and memorial of Elaine:

St. Paul’s Episcopal Chapel, Magnolia Springs, AL

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Bon Secour, AL

Episcopal Relief and Development (www.episcopalrelief.org)

Dementia Society of America (www.dementiasociety.org)

South Baldwin County Ecumenical Ministries

Foley Public Library