Bennie Jo Palmer, 74, born October 21, 1941, of Murphy passed away Thursday, May 19, 2016 in a Buncombe County, North Carolina hospital. She was a native of Murphy. After graduating high school, she worked in Atlanta and Washington D.C. before returning to Murphy to raise her family. Bennie Jo worked at the Murphy Housing Authority for over 50 years serving as executive director until her death. Bennie Jo dedicated her life to her family and work.

She was the daughter of the late Ben David and Pauline Calhoun Palmer. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Doris Botts; and an infant brother, Ben Virgil Palmer.

Surviving are three daughters, Bennie Jo McKinnon and husband, C.B. of Marble, Lea Scroggs and husband, Tim of Brasstown, and Jolee Graham and husband, Kevin Stover of Cary, North Carolina; a son, Kenneth Lee Graham II of Murphy; six grandchildren, Amanda Amos, Brittany Davis and husband, Dustin, Palmer Graham and wife, Audrey, Ben McKinnon, Thomas Graham, and Ian Stover; nephews, David Fowler and wife, Judy, and Carlton Fowler and wife, Linda; and many other extended family members whom she loved as her own.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, May 24, 2016 in the Chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with the Rev. Kenny White and Mayor Bill Hughes officiating. The interment will be in Sunset Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Gary Stalcup, Jeremy Stiles, Danny Byers, Roy Baker, John Goins, and Eldon Roberts. Honorary pallbearers will be Kenny White, Art Amos, and Tony and Doug Colbert.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 Monday evening at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Bennie Jo Palmer to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060-9979.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.