HAMPTON -- Mrs. Ruth L. Palmer, 90, of 6 Mill Pond Lane, died October 4 after a brief illness.

She was a lifelong resident here, born August 15, 1891 the daughter of Irving F. and Agnes (Merrill) Leavitt.

Mrs. Palmer was a graduate of Hampton Academy, Class of 1909 and the former Portsmouth Teachers College. Mrs. Palmer and her late husband, Charles H. Palmer, owned and operated Palmer's Restaurant at North Beach for 23 years. Later they built tourists' cabins.

Mrs. Palmer's long career of work included teaching school in Portsmouth and Hampton; being a furniture store manager; being a lunch counter operator at the former Tobey's Drug Store; and most recently, being a front desk clerk at the Spindrift Hotel.

She was a 50-year member of the Oceanside Grange; a member of the Tide Mill Chapter, OES; and a member of the Hampton American Legion Auxiliary.

Survivors include two sons, Richard L. Palmer of Hampton, and Philip H. Palmer of West Palm Beach, Florida; four grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; one brother, Eugene M. Leavitt of Hampton; one sister, Mrs. Alzena Elliot of Hampton, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at the Ronald A. Remick Funeral Home, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton, tomorrow (Thursday) at 11 a.m.

Friends may call at the funeral home today, Wednesday, from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m.