Dorothy Ashcraft Palmer passed away peacefully at 7 p.m. on July 12, 2010. She was 95 years old. She was predeceased by her husband, Gene Palmer; and her seven siblings. Dorothy is survived by her nephews, Fred Swafford, Benny Swafford, Charles Ashcraft, Tony Murphy, Tommy Ashcraft and Johnny Petty; and her nieces, Janet Tarkington, Lee Ann Vickers, Kay Cooper and Nancy Sloan. Dorothy was born on Nov. 17, 1914, to Rosa Bell and Amanuel Lafayette Ashcraft in England, Ark. She graduated from England High School and attended the school of nursing at Methodist Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., to become a registered nurse. After receiving her certification, Dorothy worked as a nurse for a short time before going to work at American Airlines as one of their first airline stewardesses, who were referred to as "The Glamour Girls." She was 24 years old at the time, 5'-2-1/2" tall and 101 pounds – the required height and weight for all stewardesses. Her new job allowed her to travel to exciting places such as Havana, Cuba, and the 1939 New York World's Fair. On March 31, 1950, Dorothy Ashcraft married Gene Palmer. Gene was a geologist for the U.S. Corps of Engineers, specializing in dam foundation designs. They loved travel and frequently vacationed abroad, visiting the Baltic, China and Egypt, among other places. Dorothy and Gene retired to New Bern, N.C., where they continued to make many good friends. In 2001, Dorothy moved to the Country Club Village Retirement Community in Hot Springs, Ark. Her favorite hobbies, besides traveling, were sewing, playing bridge and making philanthropic donations. Dorothy was a life long Methodist. At the time of her death, she was a member of First United Methodist Church in Hot Springs. A memorial service will be held at Country Club Village at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010, in Hot Springs, Ark. with the Reverend Heather Spencer Clawitter, pastor of Bismark United Methodist Church, officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Arkansas Methodist Foundation or The Caring Place in Hot Springs, Ark. Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.

Published August 8, 2010