A Friendship Forged in Faith: The Story of Sara and Shirley

Sara Palmer and Shirley Dismukes met in the 1950s at Headland Avenue Baptist Church in Dothan, Alabama. Shirley was dating Robert Dismukes, and Sara, Robert’s cousin, was being pursued by George Palmer. All four were young, in love and stepping into lives of ministry.

Over the decades, Sara and Shirley supported each other through moves, revivals and the everyday realities of ministry life. But an unexpected tragedy further deepened their bond. When Robert died suddenly at 51, Shirley was just 46 with two children still at home. She worked three jobs to make ends meet — including 33 years at a funeral home, where she learned to drive a hearse at 60!

Years later, when Sara lost George, she too faced life alone. But their friendship never faded. Today, they live just five miles apart and talk on the phone two to three times a day. They check in, run errands and care for one another in small, daily ways.

Sara and George were the first to recommend Mission:Dignity^® to Shirley — a ministry that has since supported both women in retirement.

“If it were not for Mission:Dignity and GuideStone, I would not survive,” Sara says. “I don’t know what I’d be doing, but it has been a blessing.”

Their friendship is a daily reminder that faith, love and mutual care can carry you through anything, together.