Mckinley Palmer

McKinley Palmer was born in Woodville, Mississippi on August 24, 1931, to the late Edgar and Edna Palmer. McKinley was the eldest out of 10 siblings.

McKinley accepted Christ Jesus as his Savior, and was baptized at an early age in Indianola Mississippi and became a member of Big Morning Star Baptist Missionary Church under the leadership of Reverend, W.L Kirkland.

McKinley was educated in the Indianola Mississippi school system and afterwards, joined the United States Army. McKinley successfully served his country and was honorably discharged from the United States Army and returned to Indianola and immediately started employment with the Lewis Grocer Company.

In March of 1953, McKinley married his late wife Alma Jones, and out of this union two children were born. Walter McKinley Palmer and Felicia Palmer.

McKinley relocated to Chicago Illinois and acquired employment at Precision Steel Mill in Franklin Park, Illinois and worked there for 30 years until his retirement. McKinley continued his Christian fellowship joining Wards Chapel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Whittington where he was the President of the Usher Board.

McKinley took pride in his independence and loved all types of sports, mainly the Chicago teams, The Bears, The Bulls, The White Sox and The Cubs. McKinley also enjoyed bicycling to the Lake Front, enjoying Jazz & Blues music and loved his Buick automobiles and wearing several types of hats.

McKinley married his wonderful wife Clee-Olivia Ousley in 1994 and welcomed three daughters which extended his family.

McKinley joined First Church of Deliverance under the leadership of the late Reverend Eugene Gray, afterwards under the leadership of Bishop Otto T. Houston, afterwards under the leadership of Reverend Harold Porter, afterwards under the current leadership of Reverend James Bryson. McKinley joined and served on the Trustee Board for 25 years under Lindsey Simms faithfully until illness prevented him from serving.

McKinley made his transition on February 15, 2021 to be with the Lord. Proceeding him in death, his first wife, Alma Jones; brothers Alexander Palmer, Henry Palmer, Edgar Palmer Jr., Wayne Palmer and sisters; Ineta Palmer, Atty Ethel P. Richardson; grandson, Deonte Ousley; brothers-in-law, Charles Hunt (Iristeen) and Mamady Doumbouya.

McKinley leaves to cherish in his memory: his loving wife, Clee-Olivia Palmer, one son, Walter McKinley Palmer; one daughter, Felicia Palmer both from Chicago Illinois; three sisters; Alma Palmer, and Gwendolyn P (Enoch) Ailes from Indianola MS, Mildred P. Brown, from Yazoo City, MS, extended daughters; Sylvia (Jose) Anderson; Gyda Ousley–both from Chicago Illinois and Felicia Ousley from Iowa City Iowa; grandchildren; Jason Palmer, Kimberly Palmer, Krystal Palmer, Charlese Gary, Nichelle Harvey, Kendall Harvey, extended grandchildren; Lakecha (Kenwon) Jones, Brandon (Rachel) Ousley, Janiya Brooks; close friends, Charles Davis, Willie Douglas and Rudy Battle; sister-in-law, Alma Doumbouya; brother-in-law, James Hunt (Joann) and a host of great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.