Myrtle Elsie Palmer, 89, of Mesa, Ariz., died April 14, 2003 just 26 days before her 90th birthday. She was born in Bryant, Ark.

Mrs. Palmer is survived by sons William F. Simpson of Little Rock, Ark., Bob G. Simpson of Mesa, Ariz., of the Greater Phoenix Church of God, Wil Simpson of Reno, Nev., and Don Simpson of Woodinville, Wash.; daughters Shirley Lame of Hobbs, N.M., Anita Maddison of Richland, Wash., and the Living Church of God, and Sandra Mittendorf of Mesa; 20 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren. She was a longtime member of the Sabbatarian Church of God, including Worldwide Church of God and Church of God International and at the time of death a beloved member of the Greater Phoenix Church of God.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 21, at 1 p.m. at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton, Ark., assisted by Bunker's University Chapel of Mesa. The service was officiated by pastor James Ussery, and interment was at Pinecrest Memorial Park near Benton.