Anita Lee Palmer

Anita Lee Williamson Phillips Thorstad Palmer, 83, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, fell asleep in death on January 30, 2026. A believer in Christ, she awaits the coming of the Lord Jesus and prays to be remembered in the Resurrection.

Anita was born on November 30, 1942, in Akron, Ohio, to Truman and Julia Orosz Williamson. She attended Akron State University, now known as the University of Akron, and was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.

Family was at the heart of Anita's life. She shared her life with her beloved husband, Merrill "Pete," and found her greatest joy in her children and grandchildren. She is lovingly remembered by her sons, James O'Dell Phillips II "Jim" and his wife, Betsy, and Stephan "Steve" and his wife, Karen; her grandchildren, Stephan II, Hunter, Skyler, Jaelyn, and James III; her brother, Truman Williamson, Jr.; and her stepdaughter, Lucinda and her husband, Garvin. She cherished her role as mother and grandmother above all else.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her niece, Laura Williamson; her stepson, Christopher Lee Palmer; and her stepdaughter, Deborah Palmer Bryan.

A lifelong learner, Anita often said, "I need more than one life to do everything that I want to do and learn." She loved animals-especially horses and dogs-and devoted her time to genealogy, gardening, beading, candle-making, building websites, and studying the Stone Age.

Anita was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (Charles Dibrell Chapter), serving in local, state, and national positions. She was also a member of the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the National Society Sons & Daughters of the Pilgrims, and the Descendants of Colonial Tavern Keepers.

She was laid to rest on February 23, 2026, at Sunset Memorial.