VIRGIA B. PALMER SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Virgia Cotton Bridges Palmer, a long time Simpson County educator was born on October 15, 1919 in Philadelphia, Mississippi, the second child of the late Rev. Emmit Hezekiah and Lela Jackson Cotton.  Being the second born of educator and founder [Rev. Hezekiah Cotton] of the Hopewell School in Neshoba County, Mississippi (a Julius Rosenwald Foundation funded school), “Virgia B”, as she was called by her relatives and close friends, inherited a strong sense of the value of education. 

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She received her primary and secondary education in Neshoba, Kemper and Attalla Counties, Mississippi.  She received a Bachelors, Masters and post graduate work from Jackson State University.  She was successful in completing her degrees never having the experience of staying on campus as a full time student because of her responsibilities to raise and provide for her family.

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Virgia used her education and charismatic wisdom to help others.  She began her career in Preston, Mississippi and was a teacher and administrator in Simpson County for over 41 years.  There are few students who attended Harper High School who did not have her as a teacher.  After teaching four generations of Simpson County students, she retired in 1983.  Following retirement, she opened her heart and home to foster children including Bernice Johnson and Valerie Davis.

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In 1942, while in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, she met Vasco L. Bridges.  The two were married three months later on May 7, 1942.   Four children were born to this union.  In 1965, she married Joe Palmer.  During the marriage, many events occurred including the building of her new home, where she resided until her death.  Mr. Palmer made his transition in March of 1970.

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Beginning with the Reverend C.H. Harper through the current pastor Reverend Willie Franks, Sr., she was a member of the St. John Missionary Baptist Church for 65 years.  She served the community faithfully and dutifully with the Home Mission Society, as a Sunday School Teacher, and as the church clerk for as long as anyone can remember.  She always considered the St. John community as her second family.

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Virgia Cotton Bridges Palmer made her transition on July 15, 2009.  There were many, many accomplishments in Virgia’s life.  However, she was most proud of being a mother to her children.  Their names are: Vasco Lee, Jr. (deceased), Lela Annette, Charlie Haywood and Stennis Carl.  Her legacy and belief in helping others continue with the scholarship fund established in her memory.