Pamala “Pamm” Dickens died Oct. 6, 2014, at the age of 53.
Much, much too soon the angels came and wrapped their loving arms around my beautiful daughter and took her home to our Heavenly Father. Pamm was a loving mother, daughter and sister and to all she came in contact with. She married her high school sweetheart and they have two wonderful children, Paige and Dan. Her children were the light of her life and she devoted every moment of her life loving and caring for them up to her last moments on earth.
Pamm saved every toy, every doll, every piece of clothing so that when Paige and Dan had families of their own, she could share all of their precious items. Before the children were born Pamm worked at Wilmington Health for about 12 years. She loved anything that had to do with helping others.
Pamm graduated from New Hanover High School and attended UNCW. She earned a scholarship to Cape Fear Community College and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa sorority. She was a very determined person and studied computer programming, which she excelled at.
Pamm devoted seven years to caring for her Gram. She came every day to help. She made up silly songs and games to make Gram’s day a little easier and happier. When Gram was in the hospital, Pamm spent many many days and nights by her side so she was never alone. We could not have done it without her help.
Even after Pamm’s health began to fail she continued to work for Pretty In Pink Foundation. She loved giving and helping others. When she was not able to drive, she was still determined to work at the Pretty In Pink events and someone would take her and bring her home.
Pamm was so creative and talented. She loved making beautiful holiday crafts to give away and to decorate her home. She made all of her crafts so personalized – so Pamm like. Pamm loved to shop! If Kohl’s had a sale, you can bet she would be there with a smile on her face. Pamm filled her room with dolls, beanie babies, stuffed animals and anything pink. She loved to be surrounded by her animals, Harpur, Jamie and Bey Bey. She treated her animals like little babies -always kissing and holding them.
Pamm was deeply loved and leaves a great void in our family. She leaves her daughter, Paige and fiancé, Sean Keel; son, Daniel; brothers, Kevin Tipton (who she was like a little mother to) and Charles Tipton; sister, Ginger Tipton; nephew, Vann Tipton; uncles, Henry Whitehurst (his wife, Judy); a host of cousins; her mother, Bettie Tipton; and special cousins, Wayne and Alice Whitehurst, Jack and Doris Weathersby who always come to the rescue.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Charles and Myrtle Buck; aunts, Nolia Moore, Ruth Whitehurst and Frances Boatman; uncles, Billy Whitehurst, Linwood Whitehurst and “Uncle Jesse” with whom she had a very special bond; and cousins, Laurie Beth Whitehurst, Steve Whitehurst and Sadie Rose Moore.
She was a beautiful, beautiful child and I cannot imagine life without her. Pamm did not receive all the love and respect in life that she so richly deserved but I know she is surrounded by love and caring with our Heavenly Father. She will always be my little girl and she still called me “Mommy.” I thank God for the precious little time I had her in my life and I will love her forever.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, 2014, at Oleander Memorial Gardens in Wilmington.
Memorials may be made to the Pretty In Pink Foundation, 2501 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 250, Raleigh, NC 27607.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Andrews Mortuary.
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