76 year old Fairfield resident, Pamela “Pam” Joyce Kemp passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at Stonebridge Memory Care Center in Mt. Vernon, Illinois after a long battle with dementia.
Pam was born January 17, 1947 to Harold William and Beulah Bernice (Tredway) Wagoner in Huntingburg, IN.
Pam married her high school sweet heart, Alan L. Kemp on June 18, 1966 in Huntingburg, IN.
Family members laugh at the stories they would tell of their high school days when Alan would walk Pam home and Pam would walk Alan half-way back. Their days together painted a perfect picture of love, commitment and dedication.
Three short years after their wedding, Alan would join the Navy and Pam faithfully followed him stateside during his service. Two sons were born to this union, Kurt and Keith. Alan and Pam loved their sons, supporting them at every turn, encouraging their growth and development and ensuring that both boys “marry up”.
While Pam was the epitome of a loving mother, the grandmother title is the one she held most dear. Pam was the queen of Thanksgiving meals for family, the ultimate holder of bleacher seats at ball games and concerts and the master of long distance video calls with her youngest grandsons in Oregon. Stealing her heart from their very first breath were her grandchildren; two granddaughters, Tess and Belle and two grandsons, Zach and Grady. Loving on him just as much, Pam adopted Matt Mutty as a grandson.
Pam was a faithful member of the First Christian Church.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Alan. Two sons; Kurt (Amy Joyce) Kemp of Portland, Oregon and Keith (Amy Sue) Kemp of Robinson, Illinois. Grandchildren; Tess (John) Wider, Belle Kemp, Zach and Grady Kemp and Matt (Samantha) Mutty.
Pam was preceded in death by her parents, Four sisters; Bernice Dugan, Norma Sunderman, Delores Buechlein and Deanna Hendrix and five brothers; Marvin, Robert, Larry and Ronald Wagoner.
Family and friends may celebrate Pam’s life and share memories at her visitation on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Nale’s Funeral Home in Fairfield, Illinois. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at the Fairmount Cemetery in Huntingburg, IN at 11:00 a.m. (ET) (10:00 a.m. CT) Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church in Fairfield or to SSM Health Hospice and will be accepted at Nale’s Funeral Home.
Pam’s final days were aided greatly by the gentle and compassionate care of very special caregivers in Wayne County, the staff at Stonebridge Memory Care Center in Mt. Vernon, IL and SSM Health Hospice. The family is indebted to their attention to detail and kindness to her entire family.
Fond memories and expression of sympathy may be left for the family at www.nalesfuneralhome.com
Nale’s Funeral Home of Fairfield is assisting the family.