MARION, VIRGINIA: LETITIA “TISH” PALMER HENDRICK, age 91, passed away June 5, 2026 at Francis Marion Manor in Marion, Virginia.

Tish was born on January 1, 1935 in Roanoke, Virginia to the late J.J. “Jack” and Lillian A. Palmer. She was the first baby born in 1935. Tish was a devoted Christian and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Marion, Virginia. She was very active in her Church, a member of the Ruth Circle, and the United Methodist Women. She could be found in Church almost every Sunday morning. After getting married and moving to Marion, Virginia, she worked for Gills and Miles Insurance Company in the Bank of Marion building. When her first son, Gene was born Tish chose to stay home and devoted her time to raising her two boys, Gene and John, making her home comfortable for the family, until the youngest son, John started school. She then went back to work, part time for Dr. O.O. Smith, Jr. She chose to leave work again to take care of her mother when she had a lengthy illness. After her mother recovered, she went back to work for the Richardson Clinic. She retired from the Clinic when her husband retired; was called back to Dr. O.O. Smith’s office for a short time until they could find a replacement, and ended up working 5 more years until Dr. Smith and the whole office retired together. She was an excellent cook, housekeeper, devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Tish loved to read, and when relaxing always had a book in her hands. She enjoyed playing any game, especially bridge. She belonged to two bridge clubs, Wilderness Road Garden Club, and enjoyed playing golf, or in her words “goof”. She always said she was not good at golf, but enjoyed being outside and the companionship. Tish liked to travel. She and her husband took many trips; Hawaii, Alaska, Europe and many cruises which included two trans-Atlantic trips, one all the way through the Panama Canal where she got to see whales up close for the first time at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and two river boat cruises in Europe, one on the Rhine River and the other one on the Danube River. She loved the ocean and for a long time the year was not complete if there was not a trip to Myrtle Beach. Tish never met a stranger & loved her neighbors as herself. In her later years, she volunteered as a “Pink Lady” at Francis Marion Manor and Smyth County Community Hospital.

In addition to her parents, Jack and Lillian Palmer, she was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Walter E. “Gene” Hendrick; sister, Eleanor P. Hays; brothers, James H. Palmer and Jack A. Palmer; and a special sister-in-law, Doris J. Hendrick.

She is survived by her sons, Walter E. “Gene” Hendrick, III of Berkley Heights, New Jersey and John P. Hendrick and wife, Keary; grandchildren, Evan P. Hendrick and Sarah S. Hendrick, all of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania; niece, Deborah Hall; nephews, Reverend Michael Palmer, David Hays and Jay Palmer.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Marion, Virginia with Reverend Dr. James Bennington officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Evergreen Burial Park, 1307 Summit Avenue, Roanoke, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Food and Fellowship Program, First United Methodist Church, 115 South Church Street, Marion, VA 24354 or to the charity of your choice.

To share memories of Letitia “Tish” Palmer Hendrick, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Letitia’s family has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion, Virginia 24354.