Maria Maldonado Palmer, 91, went to be with our Lord on January 6,2 021.  She was born in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico on February 12, 1929 to Luciano Maldonado Serrano and Bernarda Ortiz Burgos.

Maria left Puerto Rico after completing nursing school and joined the United States Air Force as a First Lieutenant.    Her service eventually landed her in France where she met and married her husband.  They had two children and settled in Hampton in 1968, where she remained until her passing.

Maria was deeply dedicated to her faith and she was a longtime member of Fox Hill Road Baptist Church.  She loved her church family and was well known for her "Amen" and "Praise the Lord, Glory to God" coming from the front pews of the Church on any given Sunday.  She made sure everyone knew about the love of Jesus and the importance of Salvation, especially her family.

Her home was a place of joy where she piddled on various projects.  She was an avid gardener and had a deep love for her roses.  Maria had a passion for spending time with her family, especially her three granddaughters and four great-grandchildren and often worked jigsaw puzzles and played dominos with them.  She loved getting out and taking walks around the neighborhood, greeting her neighbors on her travels.

Maria worked part time as a private duty nurse at Riverside Hospital as well as being a homemaker for her family.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Sheryl Lee palmer, her parents, four sisters, and one brother.  Maria is survived by her two children, David L. Palmer (Laura); Donna Palmer-Sellers (Sarrah) both of Hampton; her granddaughters, Heather Hatfield (Sean), Elizabeth Palmer and Charlotte Palmer (John); four great-grandchildren, Lucas Leon, Mason Hatfield, Addalyn Hatfield and Selene Anthony; three sisters, Lucy, Ana, and Tati; two brothers Carlos and Angel Luis; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM on Monday, January 11, 2021 at Fox Hill Road Baptist Church and may be viewed live on the church Facebook page.  Interment with Air Force Honors will follow at Hampton National Cemetery – Hampton Section.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org) or by calling 1-800-272-3900.

Due to Covid-19 the family will not be receiving friends at the home but welcome cards and condolences.

Arrangements by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, Hampton.