Beckham Dye Palmer Jr.

Beckham Dye Palmer Jr. of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Born on July 6, 1936, at Druid City Hospital in Tuscaloosa, BD, as he was affectionately known to his family, grew up in Eutaw, Alabama. There he attended school, played football, and worked alongside his father at the family grocery store in downtown Eutaw, where he learned the trade of a butcher. Those formative years instilled in him a deep appreciation for family, hard work, community, and the lifelong friendships he cherished and often recounted to his loved ones.

It was during a spring break in high school that he first met Patricia Ann Odum, known as Pat. Their paths crossed again years later at the University of Alabama, leading to a marriage that lasted 69 years. BD graduated from the University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. He and Pat built their life together in Tuscaloosa, raising two children, Patricia Dyeann Palmer and Beckham Dye Palmer III. Family remained the center of his world, with his career always coming second.

BD dedicated 61 years to public accounting, becoming a founding shareholder and officer of Palmer & Company, P.C., where he partnered with his son. He earned the lasting trust of his clients through his calm presence, sound guidance, and genuine care. Even as he approached his 90th birthday, he continued working nearly every day. In their later years, he and Pat found joy in their home in Destin, Florida, where he loved captaining their boat, the “Pat-Sea.” Back in Tuscaloosa, they were regular fixtures at Indian Hills Country Club, sharing meals at their favorite table every other Friday.

BD was preceded in death by his parents, Beckham Palmer Sr. and Sadiee Hester Palmer of Eutaw, and his daughter, Patricia Dyeann Palmer of Tuscaloosa. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann Odum Palmer, originally of Winfield, Alabama; his son, Beckham Dye Palmer III (Sarah Mullins Palmer); grandson, Beckham Dye Palmer IV (Brooke Page Palmer); great-grandson, Beckham Dye Palmer V; granddaughter, Penelope Margaret Babin; and granddaughter, Julianna Babin Shropshire (Michael David Shropshire), along with their forthcoming great-grandson, Samuel Edward Shropshire, all of Tuscaloosa and Birmingham.