A wonderful spirit was born to Elder William Palmer and St. Rosetta Palmer on March 13, 1930, in Belleville, VA. She was the youngest of 5 children and the last one to transition from this life at the age of 94 years old. She graduated from high school in Belleville and 2 years later in 1949, she and her mother moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where her father had become the pastor of the Church of God and Saints of Christ’s tabernacle. She was introduced to God as a baby by her parents who were very active in the church organization. She accepted God as her Savior and joined the church at the age of 13 years old and remained until her passing. She had God in her heart and loved praising His name through singing and speech. St Amanda joined the choir at an early age and remained in the choir until she was in her 70s. She loved to sing the sweet songs of Zion, and she would sing throughout the day and sometimes during the midnight hours until she was not able to sing any more. Everyone knew when St Amanda was in the tabernacle or attending the Passover because you could hear her say loudly “Amen” and “Alright”. or “That’s It.” You didn’t have to see her to know that she was somewhere around because you could hear her praising God.
St. Amanda married Thorton Smith on June 7, 1958, and they took care of her mother for years until she passed. She loved her family, and she always tried to be there in times of need. Although her compassion was felt especially in helping her family, it was extended to anyone that she knew needed help.
She retired as a Nurse’s Aide in 1993, from Euclid Manor Nursing Home, where her caring disposition was felt among the patients, fellow employees, and the employer. She retired from the workforce but continued to be active in the tabernacle. During the Sabbath service intermission, St. Amanda would serve chicken sandwiches, doughnuts and coffee to raise money for the tabernacle. She was also remembered as the “candy lady,” by the children and many adults, for satisfying their sweet tooth. She served as a Trustee for over 50 years and held the title of Mary in the Daughter’s Quorum for over 70 years. The Cleveland Tabernacle depended on her during the Holy Convocation to wake them up for 10th hour prayer until she was 93 years old. She exemplified her service not only in words, but in action, as she would always say, “that whatever your hands can find to do, then do it.”
A beautiful soul that will be truly missed by everyone that had the pleasure and the honor of knowing her.
Her favorite scripture is Prov. 3 vs. 5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths”.
St. Amanda’s is a beautiful soul that will be truly missed by her niece St. Rebecca Russell, her nephews, Elder Joseph Palmer (St. Mona), Bro. Jerry Palmer (St. Wilhelminer), James Palmer Jr., Ronald Palmer and her many great nieces and nephews along with church members and friends.