Mitchell County Georgia Obituaries James Aubrey Palmer 1937 ****************************************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for FREE access. ****************************************************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Sam Luckey Oct 2002 Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/mitchell.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm Obituary of James Aubrey Palmer as written in "The Camilla Enterprise" dated 19 Mar 1937. Camilla, Georgia. Mr. Aubrey Palmer, better known as "Cooney," and son of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. L. Palmer, of near Camilla, was fatally injured last Saturday. 13 Mar 1937, night when he was caught between his own car and a car driven by Mr. Hubert Clarkson, of Baconton, as the latter machine struck from behind, just inside the city limits of Baconton. The accident occurred about 11:00 PM. Death was instantaneous to Mr. Palmer, his body being crushed beyond recognition between the two cars. Mr. Clarkson, driver of the other automobile, suffered facial and internal injuries and was rushed immediately to the hospital in Albany for treatment. His condition later was reported not serious. Mr. Wilbur Seay, also of Baconton, who was riding with Mr. Clarkson escaped with minor injuries. Mr. Robbie Crosby, of Camilla, who was riding with Mr. Palmer, was not injured in the crash. Mr. Palmer and Mr. Crosby, en route to Albany, were having some difficulty with their car and Mr. Palmer was standing at the rear of the machine when the wreck occurred. Mr. Clarkson, returning to his home a short distance north of Baconton, sideswiped the parked car crushing Mr. Palmer between the two machines. Both cars were badly damaged by the force of the collision. Sheriff W. H. Baggs and Deputy Sheriff Groover Jones arrived on the scene a short time after the accident and identified the body of Mr. Palmer, when his brother, Mr. Alton Palmer, arrived at the scene. There were no witnesses to the wreck but residents of Baconton report that Mr. Clarkson evidently saw the parked car a very few feet ahead as he blew his horn just an instant before the crash occurred. The accident occurred inside the city limits of Baconton, it is said, and the car was standing under an electric light over the highway. Just why the driver of the other car failed to see him sooner cannot be accounted for. It was simply one of those unexplainable accidents that happen without apparent reason. Hundreds of friends and loved ones from far and near gathered at the country home of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. L. Palmer Monday, 15 Mar 1937, at 3:00 PM to attend the funeral of their son, James Aubrey (Cooney) Palmer, prominent and widely loved young Mitchell Countian, whose tragic death Saturday night has caused a grievous shock to friends throughout this section. Numerous and lovely floral pieces sent by friends and sympathetic acquaintances blanketed the casket and were banked about the room where the service took place. Rev S. H. Bennett, pastor of the Camilla Baptist Church, conducted the rites and rendered tribute tot he life of the deceased. The pall bearers serving, all close friends of Mr. Palmer from childhood, included Messrs. Lamar Metcalf of Atlanta; John Maples of Baconton; Randolph Holton of Bainbridge; Morris Cross, Harry Hilliard, F. L. Lewis Jr., Lamar Wingate and L. S. Bush. After the simple service at the home was concluded, the body was laid to rest in Akridge Cemetery. Sorrowing friends and relatives filled the cemetery and lined up around the opened grave where the Masonic rites were conducted with Mr. W. J. Penn, of Macon, Grand Secretary of Royal Arch Masons of Georgia in charge, and the body consigned to the grave with all the honors of the order. James Aubrey Palmer, who was given the pet or nickname of "Cooney" in his early childhood, has always been called by that name. He was thirty one years of age, when untimely death overtook him. He was born and reared in the well known Palmer home near Mt. Zion, where hospitality, friendliness and interest in the fine things of life, have been maintained by the large family, ow whom "Cooney" was the third son. He received his early education in Camilla school and graduated from High School here with the class of 1922. He then attended Gordon Institute at Barnesville and afterward studied at University and Mercer University. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He was a Mason and a Shriner. At the time of his death he was Secretary of Camilla Chapter R. A. M. He held a position with the Columbian Peanut Co. at the Bainbridge plant. Mr. Palmer's outstanding characteristic was his rare type of personality. Optimistic, kind and benevolent toward all, his friendliness and cheery smile were part of him and never changed through the years. He had endeared himself to all who knew him and his death has caused a general sorrow. Early in life he united with the Baptist church, to which he gave faithful and loyal service through life. Mr. Palmer is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Palmer, three brothers, J. C., Alton and Donovan all of Camilla; and six sisters, Mrs. Johnnie Mae Faircloth, Mrs. B. M. Archibald of Camilla; Mrs. W. C. Dewitt of Sale City; Mrs. Harry Branch of Cocoa, Fla.; Mrs. A. J. Osteen of Williamston, N. C.; and Miss Elsie Palmer of Waverly Hall. Among the friends from a distance to attend the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Zade Kenimer, Miss Mary Johnson, Miss Nellie Burgin, Miss Myra Warren all of Waverly Hall; Mrs. Paul Ellison, Miss Margaret Ellison, Reese Ellison, of Americus; Miss Dorothy McQuaig, Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Holton, Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Metcalf of Bainbridge; Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Slade of Moultrie and Mr. J. J. Penn of Macon. A warm and genuine sympathy, in which friends of the entire county join, is extended to the heartbroken family in their loss.