Leotis Porter Life Celebration Program

8945 HWY 17, Darien, GA 31305

Leotis Palmer III (Trey) was born on August 13, 2009 to Veronica Crespin-Palmer and Leotis Palmer Jr. in Torrance, California. Trey was proud of the family he was born into. He understood that he was Afro-Latino/Black and Mexican. He enjoyed learning about Black history and he was studying Spanish at school and independently. He loved the soul food his Gammy Maggie cooked as well as the tostadas and rice Gammy Paula made. His family will miss his help preparing the seafood boils in Georgia as well as making tamales at Christmas time in Colorado.

Trey was a happy and exuberant baby who grew into a highly energetic child who exhibited a talent for any type of sport early on. Whether it was football, basketball, or baseball like his dad he needed only to watch a few plays before he could go out on the field or court and quickly master the sport. Like his mom he had a keen eye for choreography and could easily dance to any type of music. He was a member of the Rocky Mountain Prep (RMP) dance team for more than 5 years. He and his sister Avianna won awards in RMP talent shows where Veronica served as their choreographer. Trey played the drums, was teaching himself the piano, and played saxophone in the DPS Citywide Honor Band.

Like both his parents, Trey was a scholar. He had excellent grades in all subjects but was particularly gifted in math, where he worked a year above grade level for the last couple of years. He planned to become an engineer. Trey was always a teacher favorite thanks to his incredible work ethic and unwavering intellectual curiosity. Whether it was athletics or academics, you wanted Trey Palmer on your team, and there are many teams out there who will feel his absence.

He was preceded in death by his aunt Evangelyn Palmer, great-grandparents Andrew Sr. and Annie Bell Palmer, David and Lucille Reed, Baltazar Lopez, Juanita Lucero, and great-aunt Lorraine Palmer.

Trey is survived by his parents, Veronica and Leotis Palmer, his sister Avianna, his grandparents, Vince and Paula Crespin and Leotis and Maggie Palmer, his great grandmothers Alberta Liebert and Lourdes Lopez, aunt and uncles LaToya (Calvin) Williams, Vince (Ryan) Crespin, and his uncle Aldrin Palmer, along with his cousins, Teyana Williams and Amelia Crespin. He also has countless great aunts, uncles, and cousins in both Colorado and Georgia. His best friends, Daylen Morrow and Camden Ross will miss him as well.

Trey dearly loved spending time with his family, friends, teammates, and classmates. We ask that you honor Trey’s life and memory by going out into the world and doing something that brings you real joy and share it with those you love. If you feel so moved, reach out and tell us about a joyful time you shared with Trey at LeotisTreyPalmer@gmail.com.

By Trey Palmer I am from homemade oatmeal, with blueberries and granola with honey From Taboo and Monopoly I am from the many stairs, big backyard, and dark green house I am from the grape vine and pear tree, Always green and delicious (when the Japanese beetles didn't eat them first) I'm from big seafood boils and sitting around the Christmas tree with cousins, uncles, aunts, and grandparents From Veronica and Leotis I'm from the strict and forcefully healthy parents From "You’re not her parent" and "Don't be mean to your sister" I'm from going to church on Sundays, going when we don't have sports and parents aren't too tired I'm from Los Angeles, From the roots of Georgia and Colorado, Corn Bread, Seafood, Menudo, and warm Pound Cake on Christmas Eve From the time I did my first flip on the trampoline, The baby clothes and photos my mother keeps in our basement All of these memories make me special and make me me

By Trey Palmer We are bright Caramel/Milk Chocolate skin.

Visiting family in Georgia where the family has dark chocolate skin.

Having low country boils in the humid air.

From doing the Salsa and Cha Cha Slide.

Dancing to the music, with everyone.

Learning different fences every time we go.

Family and friends side by side.

From running around and playing with friends.

Playing outside feeling like the night will never end.

Moms calling us in for supper as the street lights start growing brighter.

Throwing and kicking balls around with neighbors.

Seeing new neighbors move in and out.

And bringing food to the Culdasac parties.

Grilling hotdogs and cheeseburgers.

Welcome Pastor Dr. Michael J.K. Jones, Presiding Scripture Readings LaToya Williams Avianna Palmer Teyana Williams Prayer of Comfort Marcos Stephens Expressions of Love Family

Picture Tribute Expressions of Love Family Video Montage Selection The Reed Singers Eulogy William T. Curry, Jr., M.Ed. Acknowledgements & Announcements Melissa Smith Closing Pastor Dr. Michael J.K. Jones

We are the sons and daughters of immigrants and slaves.

Coming and being forced to come to America over the seas and mountains.

The farmers and the cotton pickers.

Black and brown glistening in the sun.

From being colonized and turned into Americans.

Following the American dream.

Not knowing who we fit in with.

Hair too loose for dreads and too curly for side parts.

From playing at the YMCA then moving on to Parks and Rec. Winning and losing championships.

Crying with teammates and cheering with teammates.

Creating our own chants to build each other up during our games.

My dad coached from the sidelines.

My mom cheered loudly from the stands.

Learning the basics of sports to grow and get better every year.

And finding life long friends.

From getting home at 8:30 after practice and games.

Exhausted knowing I have to get up and go to school the next day.

Rushing to eat and taking a shower to go to bed.

Eating Enchiladas, Tacos, Spaghetti, or Seafood.

Filling up my stomach until I can’t eat anymore.

Kissing my mom and dad goodnight after they wish me to have sweet dreams.

From not having the availability to press Afro Latino race on forms.

Not knowing who to hang out with and having different friend groups.

We are the lone ones.

The unsought children.

From two different races combined into one.

The black and brown.

The African and the Mexican.

We are who we are and I am proud of who I am.

Family

The Trey Palmer Scholarship supports students of color in pursuing their education and achieving their hopes and dreams in life. We are excited that, through this scholarship, Trey is giving back to students like him as they pursue the learning opportunities that matter most to them!

Please join us in honoring and remembering Trey by donating to the scholarship at www.TreyPalmerScholarship.org.

The family would like to thank each of you for your many acts of love, compassion, and sympathy shown to us during this time. Each gesture of love has brought some level of consolation.

We pray that God continues to bestow his love and blessing upon each of you.

Immediately following Celebration of Life Belleville Cemetery Crescent, Georgia

Immediately following Burial Mount Calvary Baptist Church 2279 GA-Highway 99 Townsend, Georgia 31331

1000 C A Devillars Road, Darien, GA 31305 912-437-4123 www.darienfuneral.com