Judy Dyann Palmer

Judy Dyann Palmer, (fondly referred to by most as “Ma’ams”), 76, of Charleston, South Carolina, entered eternal rest on Monday, March 27, 2023. Her Funeral Service will be held Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the Old St. Andrews Parish Church, 2604 Ashley River Road at 1:00 pm. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 31, 2023 in the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. West Ashley Chapel, 3360 Glenn McConnell Pkwy from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

Judy (Ma’ams) was born May 18, 1946 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, daughter of the late Kenneth Drake and Louise Lewis Drake. She moved to California and lived there for many years, made a transition to Alabama to be near her sister Debbie, where she cared for older adults, and finally followed her daughter Janell to South Carolina after grandson Bentley was born. She lived with Janell and family for many years and served as a great support to her and her children until she passed. Ma’ams’ grandchildren were the center of her world, and she acted as a surrogate mother and grandmother to many. She loved her co-workers and customers at The Home Depot, N. Charleston, SC where she was in her twentieth year of service. Ma’ams had a zest for life, a huge smile, infectious laugh, and a love for her people that is unmatched. She always greeted you with a smile and a hug. To know her was to love her.

She is survived by her daughters, Janell Carlow Schrader (Mark) of Charleston, SC and Kristina Goodall (Dean) of Dickinson, ND; son, Scott A. Fruehling (Stacia) of Cedar Rapids, IA; step-daughters, Deborah Gray, Catherine Palmer Finkbeiner (Wayne) of California, Ginni Stafford (Ben Sr.) of Arizona, and Tina Palmer Cooper (Jeff) of Washington; as well as grandchildren, Bentley Lyman Carlow, Grayson James Carlow, her namesake, AvaGrace Dyann Carlow, Leah Eloise Fruehling, Lauren Elizabeth Fruehling, Colt Parson, Ricky and Michael Gray, Gavin and Gwen Finkbeiner, Ben Stafford Jr., Abi and Mindy Stafford, and Trevor Cooper. In addition to her parents, Judy was preceded in death by her sisters Debbie Childers, Regina Anderson, and Cindy Perkins Pincock, as well as her grandson, Destin Cooper.