Ruth Katherine Palmer, 87, of Athens, died Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at Etowah Health Care Center.

A native of Blount County, and a lifelong resident of McMinn County, she was a daughter of the late Oscar F. \"Bill\" and Della Eaton French, and was preceded in death by her husband, Roe Theodore Palmer, on Aug. 1, 2006; one sister, Evelyn Snyder; and one brother, Oscar Lee French Jr. She was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include one brother and sister-in-law, Johnny and Audrey French of Elyra, Ohio; one sister, Marie Stinnett of Friendsville; one special nephew, Michael Stinnett; and several other nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Claude Irons officiating. Burial will follow in Malone Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.