In Loving Memory
April 18, 1916 – October 15, 2013
Mobile, AL
October 15. 2013, on a light fall breeze drifting through ruffled yellow curtains, the soul and spirit of Annie Laurie Palmer joined her parents, Harry and Marguerite, and her siblings Estelle (Rohmer), Buddy and Margie (Cravey) home at the dining room table for a wonderful celebration as the family is together again!
Annie Laurie lived and enjoyed life as a kind and gracious lady during 97 years of the best of times in modern US history. Graduating from Murphy High School in 1933, her only job and career was spent with Bell Telephone company. In 1936, at the height of the depression, she began as a “Number please” operator before dial phones and watched the phone company grow and change to Southern Bell, then South Central Bell. She retired in 1978 as a customer service representative caring for major accounts. During her career at the phone company she mentored many new, young employees. Her lifelong devoted friend Vi Brown Gilbert was one of those special people. A favorite example of her quick, humorous wit was at a banquet to announce the company name change to South Central Bell where she introduced herself by saying, “I am Annie Laurie Palmer now with South Central Bell, but ALWAYS a Southern Belle.”
Joining her in celebration are her husband Frank Rohmer, her brother-in-law Jerry Cravey and her nephew Rick Palmer who preceded her to heaven. She leaves to cherish her memory her sister-in-law, Mary S. Palmer, nephews Harry (Sheila), Denis, Michael and Stephen (Benny) Palmer, Frank Rohmer, III (Yume), Jerome and Francis (Nancy) Cravey; nieces Marcia Cornett {Charlie), Mandy Palmer and Suzanne Anthony (Curtis), great nieces and nephews David, Laura, Chris, Jason, Jonathan, Stacey and Anna, and great-great nephew Liam and great-great nieces Haley and Isabel. Special thanks are given to her caregivers Elisabeth Lewis and Nancy Hessert and the wonderful staff at Gentiva Hospice.
A memorial mass will be celebrated at 12:00 noon, Sunday, November 3, 2013, at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Sage Ave Mobile, AL. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 1655 McGill Ave., Mobile, AL 36604 or the VFW. Notes of condolence may be expressed at hughesfh.com. Arrangements by Hughes Funeral Home & Crematory in Daphne, AL.
Denis, so sorry for your loss. Sissy was truly an amazing woman. Prayers being offered for you and your family during this time of sorrow.
We have been honored to meet Sissy and been able to spend some time with her. Sissy was the most wonderful and gracious person one could ever meet, she was kind and respectful and she truly had grace and dignity. Sissy you may be gone but you are going to live on in our hearts and memories,
It has been a pleasure knowing Sissy. She was a precious person and will be truly missed. Praying for you and your family.
She was a precious person and will be greatly missed. Will be sending prayers for family.
A true ‘Southern Belle’, a gentile lady, Sissy, has indeed left a rich legacy and has blessed in so many ways all of those around her. I count myself very fortunate to have known her in my lifetime. I send my love to you and your family and want you to know that Sissy will live eternally in my heart. My thoughts are with you at this time, Joyce
Goodbye Sissy! You were the ultimate role model for me and countless others! Your unconditional love and support will be cherished in our hearts forever. We know your still there. We can feel you!
Annie Laurie had the greatest smile I can remember. She is in heaven sharing her smiles with my daddy, Ralph LaBan, his momma Nellie Fearn and many others. Our loss is heavens gain. God bless you all, we love you Annie Laurie-Margie & Robert Hyde-Bartlett TN
Annie Laurie was such a great lady. I have so many fond memories of her.. She once told me that she was sure glad that Buddy and Mary had all those children!! She was really ahead of her time as a career women! I will miss her. My father (her cousin) Ralph LaBan really enjoyed visiting with her and of course talking to her on the phone. In his final years Dad had no short term memory but he and Annie Laurie still had great conversations. The obituary is beautiful.
Will miss you Annie Laurie, that is how I knew you. You were so sweet, I remember you coming to my dads memorial, your cousin Ralph. You were so sweet to be there for us. I am so glad I got to see you then . May Gob bless your family in this time of remembering you . Shirley LaBan Ruiz