Katie Erin (Tipton) Palmer was born on May 3, 1981 and passed from this life on Earth Day, April 22, 2020. A fitting legacy as Katie was known for her love of nature, conservation and nature rehabilitation culminating with a BA in Biology from Austin College in 2003.
Katie was Teacher of the Year three different times at Henry Scott Middle School specializing in Robotics, STEM and Biology. She was the recipient of the prestigious Ross Perot Fellowship, Rookie of the Year Teacher, Scott’s Scholar Sponsor and Difference Maker Award. She volunteered at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge and Denison Parks and Recreation, was a member of the Denison Service League and participated in an internship for the Rainforest Projects in Costa Rica and Hawaii through Austin College. She was a Math/ Science scholarship winner while in middle school.
She was a Children’s Church instructor and champion of providing clothing, school supplies and food to the needy. She was baptized as a teenager in Caney, Oklahoma. She created her own program for her students, “Care Comforters” that allowed her students to stitch together comforters that were then delivered to area hospitals and nursing homes. She had guinea pigs in her classroom “Winnie Pig” and “Honey Bear” that were used to soothe hurting students.
Katie was preceded in death by her grandmother, Dora Mae Carpenter of Durant, Okla.; grandfather, Donald Tipton and grandmother, Gennie Tipton of Coleman, Okla.; father-in-law, Stephen Dale Palmer of Dallas, Texas and aunt Sherry Diane Simpson of Denison, Texas.
Katie leaves behind her husband, John David Palmer; daughter, Bella Rose Palmer and son Brandon Dale Palmer of Denison, Texas. Other survivors include her mother, Rhonda Dean Nail and husband John David Nail of Denison, Texas; father, Tony Glen Tipton and wife Debi Tipton of Caney, Okla.; brother, David Logan Nail and wife Shannon Nail; nephew, Liam Dean Nail and niece Mila Janine Nail of Denison, Texas; brother, Kolton Tipton; niece, Avery Tipton and nephew, Case Tipton all of Atoka, Okla.; sister, Kamron Tipton Boggs and husband Aaron Boggs and niece Eleanor Boggs of McAlester, Okla.; grandfather, Leon Dean of Coleman, Okla.; aunts: Nancy Vincent and husband Ben Vincent of Denison, Texas, Tammy Lynne Gibson of Denison, Texas, Terri Tipton of Durant, Okla.; mother-in-law Martha Lee Palmer of Denison, Texas; cousins Brian, Gwen, Jack and Billy Estep of Cartwright, Okla., Bradley, Iris Avi and Austin Estep of Cedar Park, Texas, Kalli, Roy, Ryan, Jacob, Blain and Cruz Nuncio of Denison, Texas, Sara, Tanner and Hunter Donihoo of Melissa, Texas, Ashley, Michael, Ryder and Sophie Logan of Gunter, Texas, Jordan, Ashley and Ian Gibson of Denison, Texas, Connor Gibson of Sherman, Texas and Tristan Gibson of Denison, Texas, Michael, Kara, Maggie and Ben McBrayer of Colbert, Okla., Nicki, Terry, Zeke, Easton and Dayton Russell of Coleman, Okla., Neal McBrayer of Durant, Okla. and a host of family, friends and loved ones.
Katie’s spirit will be carried on through the lives of her children and generations to come, the students she taught, her passion for nature and her love of travel.
A Celebration of Her Life will be held at a later date tentatively at Austin College, her and John’s Alma Mater and where they fell in love.
In lieu of flowers, please make dedication memorials and donations to: Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6545 Refuge Rd., Sherman, Texas 75092, Phone 903-465-6041 or Grayson County Shelter, 331 W. Morton Street, Denison, Texas 75020, Phone 903-465-6041.
Condolences may be made online at Gordon Funeral Home in Durant, Okla. under the direction of Brent Gordon, 221 N. Third Ave. in Durant.
Phone: (580) 916-9090
www.gordonfh.com
14 Comments
Katie was an inspiration to everyone she knew. Heaven gained an Angel. My prayers are with her family.
Katie will be forever missed. She was such a good friend to our daughter Stephanie Matthews as they taught together at Scott Middle School. Our prayers are with John and her children and her mom and dad. May you remember the happy times you spent as a family. Danny and Nondas Baxley
Such a beautiful person.
John, Bella, Brandon, and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time. Katie and all of you have brought so much joy to our lives and the lives of others. Please know we are praying for your daily. May God hold you close and give our peace. Love and prayers
May you enjoy being in heaven with God
A life of passion and love for others and this world has left us. Katie and John created a beautiful family. Our prayers for this family’s strength strength continues as the press into one another.
Love you sweet Katie ! RIP!
Rhonda and John, I am so shocked and saddened by this horrible accident. I have been praying daily for all of you. Just know that we love you and while I did not know Katie, she was our neighbor.
One of my grandsons was in Mrs. Palmer’s science class in 2015, when he was a senior at DHS. He loved her dearly. She made a difference in his life. The family of Zachary Wood wishes to send sincere sympathies to all of Mrs. Katie Palmer’s loved ones.
Katie, you were a shining star. Your smile amazing, a beautiful soul, and a laugh we all loved to hear. We will surely miss you. I know you’re already busy in the heavens getting things done. We love and miss you.
Our deepest condolences to Katie’s family and all who knew her. She was an electrifying spirit who’s light and goodness could be felt by all she encountered. We are all better for knowing Katie, she was an example of kindness, perseverance and strength under control. We are thankful our son had the opportunity to learn from her and we had the privilege to call her friend.
John, Bella, and Brandon, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Katie had a wonderful smile that was contagious. She will be missed. God bless you and your family during this time of your life.
Larry and Ruth Ledbetter
I never had the pleasure of meeting Katie. She sounds like an amazing young woman. I do know her dad, Tony. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Tony, and the rest of your family. May God wrap His arms around you and your family and give You comfort and peace that passes all understanding.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
Psalms 34:18 NLT
I am so very sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family.