God watched you as your health failed and knew you could no longer bare. He gently placed you in his arms, and took you in his care. We wanted so much to keep you, but we knew it wouldn't be fair, Because God had a plan, that only you and He shared. Your memories are ours to keep, and we'll hold to them while you sleep. We love you and miss you more than you know, But in due time we all must go. Gladys I. Straws, 85, of Mexico, died at 2:25 p.m. on June 9, 2005, at Audrain Medical Center. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, June 14, at 2 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery under the direction of Pickering Funeral Home. There will be no visitation. Ms. Straws was born on August 4, 1919, in the Mexico area, a daughter of Everett and Fannie (Lee) Palmer. She was a member of the Progressive Baptist Church in Kansas City, Mo. She had been a private duty nurse for many years. Surviving are nieces Myra Nunnelly, Mexico; Frances White, Los Angeles, Calif.; Deborah Williams, Kansas City, Mo.; Jacqueline Jennings, Columbia; Melinda Crisp, Fredericksburg, Va.; and nephews Eddie Fry, Kansas City, Mo.; Howard Palmer, St. Peters; Jesse Delaney, Kansas City, Mo.; and Andre Delaney, Washington, DC.; and a host of other nieces and nephews. Three brothers, George Lee, Howard Eugene and John Everett Palmer, and four sisters, Millie Patterson, Cecilia Jo Delaney, Ada Palmer Finney and Kathryn Palmer Lane, preceded her in death.