George Ann (Black) Palmer

George Ann Palmer
           January 4, 1945 ~ June 26, 2025

               George Ann Palmer, 80 of Springfield, Kentucky lost her courageous battle with cancer and passed away peacefully on June 26, 2025.  George Ann was a 1962 graduate of Mackville High School and Secretarial school in Louisville, Ky.  George Ann spent many years working for the machinist union of the AFL-CIO in Louisville.  During her mid-years, she returned to her hometown and began a second successful career in local government.  She became the Solid Waste Coordinator for Washington County where she was responsible for numerous successful projects and campaigns involving recycling and waste management.  A favorite of hers was Pearl the Squirrel, an educational campaign she devised.  
              George Ann was a fiercely proud person.  She worked and supported herself her whole life.  She earned multiple pensions during her work life that allowed her to enjoy her retirement as a fully independent woman.  Her family, however, is what really mattered to her.   Above all else, she was truly deeply loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.  Her love extended beyond her own children and families and included the families of her children’s spouses whom she loved just the same.   If you drove by her house, there was a good chance she would be on the porch of her beloved home with a group of friends, family and children all gathered for the day.  Whether she was Mom or Memaw she was there for you for anything you needed.   A remarkably intelligent and articulate woman (ask anyone who played words with friends against her) she was always there to provide wisdom, guidance and help to those around her.
              George Ann was also a devout Christian.  She loved the Lord and was dedicated to her faith.  She was very involved in her church for many years and continued to attend televised services in her later years.  If her television was on, it seemed like she was either watching a service, the Golden Girls or The Neighborhood.   She put her money where her mouth was and always made sure a portion of her income was tithed to the church.  Her house was almost exclusively decorated with pictures of family, adopted family, friends, Christian verses, scenes from the bible and religious ornamentation and the odd Elvis Presley memorabilia.  When you looked around it was easy to see what her priorities were and what she truly loved.
              Her last year was marred by cancer.  As her body and mind weakened, her spirit remained indomitable.  Despite all that cancer took from her she never complained or lost her faith.  It was inspirational to watch.  All the way to the end, with the help of her wonderful aide, Lacey Doolin, she would get out of bed and the two of them would ride together so she could enjoy being out and about which she loved.
              She has joined her father Jack Black, her mother, Virginia Mann Black, and her sister Katherine Downs (Bill) in heaven.  She is survived by her children Jackie Mann (Tony), Debbie Kottak (Bryan), and Marty Palmer (Denise), her brother Dave Black (Kim), her brother Jack Black (Louise), and grandchildren, Morgan Mann (Stormy), Cody Mann, Cassey Mann, Kayla Ball (Kerry), Megan Clark (Austin), Jack Palmer, Madison Palmer, and Avery Palmer, great-grandchildren Andie and William Ball, Ambria and Ricky Bush and her extended family Matthew Mann (Beth) Ludie and Harper Mann, Michael, Garrett, Alyssa, Sophia, Blakely, and  Ka’Tai Mann. 
              Her influence and legacy will be felt for generations, and she will be dearly missed.  In lieu of flowers you may donate to Heritage Hospice.  
              George Ann did not want a formal funeral service at this time.  The family is planning a Celebration of Life to honor her memory to be held in the upcoming weeks.  Details will be published here as soon as available.
               Local arrangements entrusted to Sims Funeral Services of Harrodsburg.

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