Virginia, Episcopal Church mourn death of 'faithful servant' Russ Palmore
Episcopal News Service. April 8, 2011 [040811-01]
Mary Frances Schjonberg
Episcopal Diocese of Virginia Chancellor Russell V. Palmore Jr., who also served the wider church in many capacities, died suddenly April 7 following cataract surgery. He was 64.
"Russ was a tremendous example of loyalty and dedication to the Episcopal Church," Virginia Bishop Shannon S. Johnston said in a statement posted on the diocese's website.
Saying that Palmore "maintained an unparalleled involvement in church leadership throughout his life," Johnston noted that the diocese was "truly blessed by his continuous and unwavering support and work for the ministry of the church."
In a statement, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said "the Episcopal Church has lost a faithful servant and good friend in Russ Palmore."
"We will sorely miss the wit and wisdom he offered the Diocese of Virginia and the wider church over decades," she said. "His abundant gifts will continue to bless us for years to come. May Russ rest in peace, and rise in glory, and may his family and friends know that he is held in the palm of God's hand."
House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson called Palmore "a friend and one of the most faithful people I have ever known." She said he was "always ready to share his great skill, wit, and insights" and "set the bar pretty high for what it means to be a deputy."
"His death leaves a hole in the heart of many and certainly in the House of Deputies. I am so very, very sad, but give great thanks for having him as a friend and colleague."
Palmore, who had been the diocese's chancellor since 1987, represented Virginia as a lay deputy to General Convention for eight consecutive triennial conventions from 1988-2009. He was to serve at his ninth convention in July 2012. He was the secretary of the Episcopal Church's Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance for the 2010-2012 triennium.
Palmore also served as a member of the church's Executive Council. His term ended in 2006.
During the 75th meeting of General Convention in 2006, Palmore was part of an 18-member special committee appointed to handle convention resolutions concerning the Episcopal Church's relationship with the Anglican Communion. It issued its report prior to the beginning of the convention. Its work resulted in the passage of a series of resolutions, including Resolution B033, which called upon Standing Committees and bishops with jurisdiction "to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion."
In Virginia, Palmore chaired a special committee that dealt with property issues involved with diocesan congregations in which the majority of laity and clergy decided in late 2006 to leave the Episcopal Church because they disagreed with some of its policies and decisions. Parts of the resulting legal actions are still being litigated.
He was also a member of the board of directors of Forward Movement, an Episcopal Church-affiliated publisher of devotional and other religious materials.
Palmore was a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College and the University of Virginia School of Law, and was a long-time partner at the Richmond law firm of Mays & Valentine, later known as Troutman Sanders. He was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters by Virginia Theological Seminary in 2008.
He is survived by his wife, Susan, daughters and a grandson. Services will be held on Tuesday, April 12 at 4 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 815 E. Grace Street, Richmond, Virginia. The family will receive visitors on Monday, April 11 from 5 to 8 p.m., also at St. Paul's.