Palmer Joseph “Joe” Honoré, Sr., was born on September 14, 1939, in St. Martinsville, Louisiana to the late Auguste Erneste Honoré and the late Rosetta Bryant Honoré.  He was one of ten siblings raised in Lake Charles, LA.

As a young man, Joe was involved in many athletic endeavors and was truly a standout basketball player among his classmates at Sacred Heart High School in Lake Charles, LA, where he graduated from in 1956.  Upon graduation, Joe enlisted into the United States Navy, where he served for over ten years as a U.S. Naval Nuclear Submarine Engineman 2.  During his career in the Navy, he traveled the country as he was stationed in many different localities including San Diego, California; New London, Connecticut; Great Lakes, Illinois; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Norfolk, Virginia.  He later changed careers, but his commitment to service remained the same as he became a manager for the Navy Public Works Center where he retired in 1994 after 37 years of service.

While in the Navy, he met the love of his life, the late Gladys Marie Staton Honoré, whom he married in 1965 and they resided in Portsmouth, VA for the remainder of their lives.  Through that union, they were parents to five beautiful children (Cablinda, Debra, Andrea, Palmer Jr., and Michael).  To know Joe was to know that he took pride in being a devoted father who was very active in his children’s lives.  He did not miss the opportunity to support them at their basketball games, football games, and tennis matches.  He pushed them to be the very best that they could be, and he did not accept anything less than their best.  Simply put, Joe had very high expectations, but he also had a way of making everyone smile and feel special.  He conducted himself the same way with his grandchildren and their endeavors. Through the special bond that he shared with his granddaughters, he made it known that they were the apple of his eye.  Together, they enjoyed going on lunch dates, sitting on the porch, and even hanging out at the Club De Porres or the American Legion.

In addition to the love he shared for his family, he also loved God profoundly and attended The Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Norfolk, VA.  Joe showed his love for God in the way that he cared for others within his community.  He never hesitated to go above and beyond to help those around him whether that be through giving folks in the neighborhood a ride to work or opening his home up to others.

Joe was a simple man with much class and integrity.  Enjoying life was his motto, and he had many hobbies to help him live his best life such as: reading the newspaper; bowling; cooking; hanging out at the Club De Porres and the American Legion; attending bus trips; going to the casino; keeping up with classmates in Lake Charles, LA; watching CNN, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and old Cowboy movies; and taking care of his dogs Moe-mee, Jabo, and Little Girl.  Joe kept up with sports and was a passionate fan of the NFL team formerly known as the Washington Redskins. The family referred to him as the king of fishing because he could catch more fish than anyone using only one fishing rod.  Joe was like no other, he kept everyone laughing with his trash talk and sarcasm. To know Joe was to know that he enjoyed a cold beverage and could cook the best gumbo.  He knew how to appreciate every moment of life and he would not allow anyone to get in the way of that.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Auguste Erneste Honoré and Rosetta Bryant Honoré; wife: Gladys Marie Staton Honoré; siblings: Carolyn Honoré and Larry Honoré; three daughters: Cablinda Alston Sexton (Anthony), Debra Alston, and Andrea Alston; and two grandsons: Jamal Alston and Kalyn Alston.

He is survived by his two sons: Palmer Joseph Honoré, Jr. (Tiwana) and Michael James Honoré (April), both of Portsmouth, VA; three granddaughters: DeShanna Honoré, Danyelle Honoré, and Brittany Younger (Jerian), all of Portsmouth, VA; four grandsons: Richard Earl Alston, Steven Alston, Gerrod Alston, and Kevon Sexton all of Portsmouth, VA.  He is also survived by his seven siblings, four brothers: Charles Auguste Honoré, Ronald Honoré (Jennie-Ann), Michael Joseph Honoré (Tina), and Lamar Patrick Honoré, all of Lake Charles, LA; and three sisters: Barbara Honoré Clayton and Wanda Honoré Ardoin both of Lynn, MA; and Wynetta Honoré Smith of Lake Charles, LA; and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, in-laws, relatives, and friends.

Palmer Joseph Honoré, Sr., a man of service, transitioned into eternal rest on Friday, August 5, 2022, at the age of 82 after fulfilling his purpose here on Earth.  Strong in nature, he fought until the very end and never gave up.  Our family gives God praise for sending us “Daddy Joe” and the many lessons he taught us.  Although he will truly be missed, his legacy will live on forever through his children, grandchildren, and the endless lives he touched.