Ruth Dillingham Palmer

Published 12:03 pm Friday, January 17, 2025

Ruth Dillingham Palmer (nee Lambert), born on June 5, 1934, passed away on January 15,

2025 after a long illness.

She was born in Lancaster, SC to William Pinckney Lambert and Iva Garrison Lambert. She was preceded in death by her sons Rex H. Dillingham, III and Phillip I. Dillingham; her parents; and her brothers Emmett Lambert, William Lambert, Jack Lambert, and Fred Lambert. Her husband, H. Bruce Palmer of Tryon, NC also preceded her in death. Mrs. Palmer is survived by a loving family including her two daughters, Leslie Ruth Dillingham and Regina Ruth Shillinglaw (nee Dillingham) of Dayton, OH as well as three grandchildren: Wesley W. Dillingham of Ipswich, MA, and Jackson P. and Anna L. Shillinglaw of Dayton, OH. Also surviving are two great-grandchildren of Ipswich, MA, Lilah Dillingham and Bennett Dillingham, and Ruth’s beloved sister Kathryn Lambert Motsinger of Kernersville, N,C, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Palmer was respected and loved by many friends and was known as a deeply faithful

woman. She leaned on God in times of loss and pain and gave God abundant thanks in

times of joy. She uplifted all who knew her through her faith and brought the reassurance of

God’s love and His word to her family and those who knew her. Ruth was quiet, resolute, and gentle in her faith, demonstrating her devotion to God through her love of the Bible, her

habits, and her reliance on scripture when facing times of hardship.

Ruth received an undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina. She was the

proprietor of several antique businesses in Upstate South Carolina and in Tryon, NC. Those

who knew her appreciated her passion for antiques and her knowledge of the history

represented in them.

Mrs. Palmer had a rare combination of gifts. In addition to her faith, she was known for her

kindness, intelligence, creativity, wisdom, and humor. Ruth was a beautiful, graceful,

poised, and gentle woman. She possessed a unique strength that provided her fortitude and

resilience to face life’s many hardships. She was a deeply devoted mother, grandmother,

and friend. She had special ways of showing her love to her family and others in ways that

will be long-remembered and missed. Ruth was also a talented pianist. She was

introduced as a child to classical piano by her brother Jack, and she delighted in playing

the piano for a lifetime. She was also a wonderful painter, gardener, writer, decorator, and

collector of many lovely linens, art and antiques. She was incredibly well-read and enjoyed

discussing history, religion, politics, and the fine arts. Mrs. Palmer had a wonderful sense

of humor; those close to her recall many gatherings filled with lots of laughter and often

silliness! Our mother was a delightful person with an uncommon ability to simultaneously

demonstrate deep wisdom, gentleness, integrity, intellect, and levity. Those of us who hold

her dear will always be guided by her love and her example.

Services will be held at 3 PM on Thursday, January 23, 2025 (weather allowing) at Tryon

Presbyterian Church at 430 Harmon Field Road; Tryon, NC.

The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service in the narthex. 

Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens in Columbus.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Graceworks Lutheran Services (Bethany

Village) at https://graceworks.org/support/donate or 6430 Inner Mission Way, Dayton, OH

45459.

McFarland Funeral Chapel

Tryon