The family of Robe’rt (Bob) and Bettye Palmer are holding a surprise 50th wedding anniversary celebration today at the Waterford Hotel in Springfield. Two hundred guests from across the country are expected to attend, including community leaders.
The Palmers were engaged in 1963, a pinnacle year for the Civil Rights movement. As plans were being made for 100,000 people to converge on Washington, D.C. for the historic March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King would deliver his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, the Palmers were making a promise that has held firm for decades. The Palmers married September 1, 1964.
Together, the Palmers raised a family in the wake of significant historic events, including the first moon landing, the Viet Nam War, the Nixon administration and the continuing conflicts in the Middle East. They have four children: Robe’rt, Jr., Palmer, Remond Palmer, Nicole Guess and Germaine Palmer. The Palmers also have four grandchildren: Dana Rae Lawrence, Remond Keith Palmer, Jr., Keshawn Jemond Palmer and Valentino Bryon Guess.
The Palmers are active members of Dumfries’ First Mount Zion Baptist Church, under the leadership of Dr. Luke Torian and Assistant Reverend Sandra James. According to Robe’rt, Jr., “Over these 50 years, as with all families, Bob and Bettye have no doubt had their ups and downs, their triumphs and losses, sickness and health. But the one constant, as anyone who knows them can attest to, has always been their love and commitment to God and to each other.”
Nicole Guess says her mother is known to say, “Keep your hand in God’s hand,” while Bob’s motto is, “I will trust in the Lord always.”
“You can be on time for everything else,” says Bettye. “Don’t make me late for church.”
Bettye is also known for her coordinated outfits, from dress, to shoes, to hat, to handbag. Guess remembers her father saying, “Bettye, you don’t have to buy another hat, dress or purse, even if they are giving it away!”
The Palmers met in 1963 in Asbury Park, NJ, where they both had moved to work. At the time, the area was the hub of the African American community. Bettye’s career took her from a clothes cleaners to manufacturing and corporate America, including Signal Light and AT&T. Bob worked in the hospitality industry and eventually with the Asbury Park school system until he retired in 1999. In 2006, the family moved to Dumfries.
Robe’rt, Jr., holds a Bachelor’s degree from Rowan University and a Master’s from Strayer University. He has worked for the Department of Defense for 25 years in D.C. Metro.
Remond attended Monmouth University and graduated from Seton Hall University. He is a retired fireman and currently instrumental in the Asbury Park political system.
Nicole holds a Bachelor’s degree from Rowan University and a Master’s from Strayer University. She is a Department of Defense Contractor in D.C. Metro.
Germaine graduated from Potomac High School in Dumfries and works for Prince William County.
“With that strong commitment, their union has stood the test of time,” Robe’rt, Jr. says about his parents. “And that is what we celebrate today.”
Recent Stories

The stage is set, the lights are shining, and the electrifying energy of Jesus Christ Superstar is ready to take over the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. The iconic rock opera, which first captivated audiences in the early 1970s, officially opened on March 13, 2025, and will run through April 27.

Properly using a car seat can reduce the risk of injury or death in a car crash by a significant amount, with studies showing reductions of 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
Check your child safety seat with the Montgomery County Safe Kids Coalition on Thursday March 20, 2025 from 10am-12:30pm. No appointment necessary.
Fitzgerald GMC Rockville

McClung-Logan Equipment Company is hosting its 40th Annual Oyster Roast, a signature customer appreciation event celebrating tradition, community, and generosity.
This year’s milestone celebration will take place on Thursday, March 6th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Fredericksburg Agricultural Fairgrounds.
The first Oyster Roast began as a fundraiser in 1985, led by White Oak Equipment founder Frank McCarty, to raise donations for an employee battling cancer. This turned into a time-honored tradition for individuals facing hardship.
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
Environmental Film Festival: Turtle Walker
DC Premiere.
In the late 1970s, Satish Bhaskar embarked on an epic journey along India’s coastline and the spectacular Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where he uncovered the vital nesting beaches of sea turtles. During his death-defying quest, he unravels mysteries