School board member dies

Palmer, 54, cause of death not yet known

By Debbie Glover
St. Tammany News
Published on Sunday, December 13, 2009 12:25 AM CST

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Sorola “Jody” Palmer, St. Tammany Parish School Board member for district 7, passed away unexpectedly Friday morning at home. He was 54.

Palmer was being treated for a cold and was under his doctor’s care.

He was reportedly taking antibiotics and medication and had a cough that prevented him from attending Thursday night’s school board meeting.

SOROLA PALMER

Palmer was serving his second term on the school board, having been elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2006. He represented the Lacombe area including Bayou Lacombe Middle School, Chahta-Ima Elementary School and Monteleone Junior High School.

His sister, Elsie Burkhalter, said of her brother, “He was an advocate for employees and students and believed education was important for the economy and for fighting crime. He never turned down a helping hand for anyone.”

Burkhalter said he lived all his life on the bayou and lake in Lacombe. He encouraged others to stay in the state and help build your own community. She also said he was always protective of his five sisters.

School Board President John Lamarque said, “Our school system is like a family, and when we lose a member, it deeply saddens all of us.”

He had served as executive director of Community Action Agency for St. Tammany Parish and was also the district 89B representative on the Louisiana Democratic State Central Committee, the governing body of the Louisiana Democratic Party.

He was also a volunteer for Fire District 3 in Lacombe.

He is survived by his wife Judy; sons Sorola Palmer Jr. and Bryan Palmer and the brother of Elsie Burkhalter of Slidell, Janice Palmer of Oklahoma and Brenda Palmer of Lacombe.

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Comments

2 comment(s)

Karen J Williams wrote on Dec 17, 2009 6:47 AM:

" I am so sorry that Jody is gone. He was such a good man. There will be an aura of sadness around Lacombe, Jody will truly be missed. "

PAT GORDON wrote on Dec 15, 2009 8:06 AM:

" SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT JODY, HE TRULY WAS A GREAT GUY AND A GOOD FRIEND. HIS LAUGHTER AND FUNNY SAYINGS WILL REALLY BE MISSED BY ALL OF HIS FRIENDS.

GOD BLESS AND COMFORT HIS FAMILY. "

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