Pamela English Beckham

Pamela English Beckham
Pamela English Beckham

Pamela English Beckham went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 10, 2019.

Memorial services will be at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at First Baptist Church in Amarillo, TX.  Burial will be in Claude at 10:30 a.m.  Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Pamela Sue English was born June 28, 1949 at St. Anthony’s Hospital to J.P. and Earlene English.  She was raised in Claude, TX just east of town on the family farm.  She studied piano in Amarillo and was a very accomplished pianist.  In the seventh grade, she joined the Claude Band as a clarinetist and later became a twirler for the marching band.

There were no boys in the English family, so at age 13, Pamela went to the wheat fields to help her grandfather, Troy Vance, on his farm.  Pam learned to drive tractors, repair engines and to haul wheat to the elevators in Claude and Conway during wheat harvest.  She rode horses, milked a cow and gathered eggs as part of her farm life.

Pamela graduated from Claude High School as salutatorian in 1967 and entered Texas Tech as a chemistry major.  Majoring in chemistry proved to be a challenge as Claude had no chemistry lab.  When Pam attended her first college chemistry lab, she had only seen pictures of the lab equipment and read how to use the apparatus.  She spent the first several months attending extra labs each week to learn how to use the lab equipment.

In the fall of 1967, Pamela pledge Chi Omega sorority at Tech.  The start of her second semester at Tech, January 1968, she was inducted into the freshman honor society as a result of her outstanding academic record.  She was thereafter elected president of the society by her peers.  The same semester, she pledged Tau Beta Sigma, the Tech Band service sorority.  At a mixer for the band fraternity and sorority, Pamela met James Beckham who would become her husband.  In 1969, Pamela was asked to become a member of the Texas Tech President’s Hostesses.  This group of young women represented the college (now university) by handling all official college functions and hosting dignitaries at football games.  In 1969, Pamela became President of the group and worked with the Governor of Texas and President Lyndon Johnson in her hostess capacity.

Pamela and James dated for 3 ½ years until her graduation in 1971 with a pre-med degree and math minor, Magna Cum Laude.  James completed his Master of Music degree at the same time and the couple married July 24, 1971 at First Baptist Church, Claude.

Pamela taught one year at Mackenzie Junior High School in Lubbock, TX, then the couple moved to Ogden, Utah where James had a position teaching Music at Weber State University.  Pamela applied for teaching positions in two districts and received two job offers immediately.  She taught science and math one year in Clearfield, Utah and three years in Bountiful, Utah.  Upon the Beckhams’ return to Texas in 1976, Pamela taught math and science one year at Amarillo High School before joining James in the family business.

From 1977 to the present, Pamela was actively involved in the family electronics businesses including Muzak, Audio-Video Corporation (A-V Corp), A-1 Communications and A-V I Corp.  She managed the family ranches outside of Clayton, New Mexico.  She loved working with cattle and being on horseback in all kinds of weather.

In 1980, Jamie Beckham was born and Sarah Beckham joined the family in 1983.  Jamie and Sarah were the light of Pamela’s life and she was so proud of who her daughters are and what wonderful women and mothers they have become.   Sarah and Jamie have blessed the Beckhams with five grandsons ranging in age from two to thirteen years of age.  Pamela was never happier than when playing basketball with a grandson or sitting in the floor playing with her toddler grandson.

Pamela and James loved travel and exploring places most tourists do not visit.  They hiked the Hadrian’s Wall Path for six days across northern Britain; hiked across the Ring of Kerry for six days in Ireland and trekked parts of the Appalachian and Long Trails in Vermont all with their hiking partners Pam and Dan Coffey.  The pair attended Oxford University, lived on the economy during their numerous trips to Europe and traveled much of the Continental US.

Pamela and James joined First Baptist Church in 1976 and Pamela was active until her death.  She was a much respected and loved Sunday School teacher.  Pamela was an outstanding Bible scholar and gifted Bible teacher.  She taught singles at First Baptist for twelve years and couples classes ever since.  She was a shining light in the choir loft with her radiant smile and obvious love of worship with her friends at First Baptist.  She loved going to Mexico during Spring Break with students from First Baptist and yearned to be in Mexico with the team in 2019, but the Lord had other plans.

Pamela was preceded in death by her parents, J.P. and Earlene English.

She is survived by her husband, James Beckham, two daughters, Jamie Beckham George and husband Christopher, Sarah Beckham-Turner and husband Brent.  She is also survived by five grandsons, Flint, Jackson, Quay, Blake and James, her sister Lynette and nephew Andrew Villa, and a host of close friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mexico Mission Trip at First Baptist Church of Amarillo.

The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at the funeral home.

16 Replies to “Pamela English Beckham”

  1. What a beautiful lady. Tim and I were greatly saddened to hear of her passing. What an amazing life. Now in heaven where life is infitely more amazing. You will all be in our prayers.

  2. Sweet Pam was always positive and smiling til the day she went to live in heaven!

    I loved sharing adventures with Pam and James in Egypt! They were the lightest packers on the trip and I was amazed at their ability to just have a small bag each for over two weeks!

    They are both Bible Scholars and life-long learners!

    What a legacy they leave and such a testimony to others of hope, peace and trust in our Lord and Savior!

  3. James, Mickey and I were saddened to hear of Pam’s passing. We remember well visiting with her at one of the Big Spring reunions, and enjoyed her zest for life. You and your family are in our prayers, and we wish strength and hope for you as you go forward.
    Sincerely,
    Dick and Mickey Crow Sweeden

  4. I will miss sweet Pam Beckham. Her smile and zest for life were so admired. I know God is welcoming his faithful servant in Heaven.

  5. We were very shocked and truly saddened at the news of Pam’s passing. James, Jamie, Sarah, and Lynette: please accept our deep condolences for your great loss. May your deep faith and cherished memories of happier times help you all thru this most difficult time. We both remember fondly Pam’s radiant smile and zest for life! We send you all our heartfelt sympathy.

  6. Jamie, I am so sorry for your loss. After reading this beautiful tribute, I can see what a wonderful role model you had as a mom. She must have been so proud of you! Prayers for all of you. May your memories comfort you. With love, Sally & Conrad

  7. I would like to express my family’s deep sympathy to the family of my cousin Pam. We grieve with you. Just know that this too is temporary.

    Jay Lowry

  8. Pam was such a wonderful Christian lady. Her faith and service to our Lord and His Church was an inspiration to all who knew her. Our prayers and thoughts to all the family. May the peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit be experienced by each of you.
    Dan Turner

  9. Pam was one of the most lovely people I ever had the privilege of knowing. Full of grace and a zest for life. She will be greatly missed.

  10. I loved reading of Pam’s life here, because I met her only a few short years ago. I will miss her so much. She was a bright light and an inspiration. Our sincere condolences to her family.

  11. She leaves a vacancy no one can replace. She was such a woman of excellence. Kindness, beauty and grace were her adornments. She served others tirelessly. An amazing woman I will miss!

  12. Peace and Love ❤️ to comfort you all! Pam was a wonderful inspiration in my life! Loving her family and sharing you all with me and all the great times in the salon! Blessings and Huggs to you all!

  13. James,Becky and Sarah and family hugs and prayers for you all. Pam was a very loving person in just the short time I knew her. She will be greatly missed. Hugs to all.

  14. May God’s comfort be very real and ongoing in the days ahead. Cherish those memories that will be forever sacred through the days and years ahead. Our prayers are with you through this dark valley.

    Larry and Ann Heard

  15. Our deepest sympathy to each of you. Pam’s bright smile will be missed. Heaven becomes a very, very special place when those we love are there. Until we are, we can only imagine her joy. Prayers for all ~ Stan and Kae Rae Austin

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