Pamela Steele

Pamela Louise Steele, 76, died peacefully in her sleep, on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at home, in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Pam struggled with the effects of Parkinson’s Disease for many years, and looked forward to being free of pain in her new Heavenly home. Pam enjoyed her back yard garden paradise, especially the moonflowers that captivated her as they opened each evening before her eyes. She spent her last summer picking quarts of blueberries from her blueberry bushes, and sharing them with many friends, neighbors, and even her caregivers. Pam enjoyed giving away the blueberries to others, so much, she did not save any for herself to enjoy! Pam was born in Aiea Naval Hospital, Honolulu, Hawaii, where her father was stationed during his Naval career. She considered being born in Hawaii was unique. Often describing her childhood, she considered herself, and her two siblings “Navy brats”, who had the good fortune to see and live in exciting parts of the world because of their father’s Naval career, as a submarine Captain. After graduating high school in Key West, Florida, Pam enrolled in The University of Maryland, Munich, Germany campus, while her father was stationed in Europe. She later graduated from The University of South Carolina, with a Master’s Degree in Video Production. After teaching in several schools in the Columbia, SC area, Pam found her ‘home’ for teaching at, Lexington Middle School, Lexington, SC, as an art teacher, from where she retired. Pam retired after 44 years of teaching. Pam served as President of the South Carolina Art Educators Association, after holding many executive positions. She was a renowned pen and ink artist, who did 20 consecutive “Poultry Festival” poultry prints, for the Batesville-Leesville annual festival. Pam was also a hand-built clay artist, specializing in SC traditional face jugs. For many years, she was a guest artist/teacher at Rollings School for The Arts, Summerville, SC, and also at Lander University. In the 1970’s, Pam bought a somewhat “run-down” five acre farm in Gilbert, SC. The house, from the 1930’s, was originally bought from a Sears Catalog, arrived on a wagon, and then assembled. Pam later remodeled the house into a beautiful farmhouse, that was her pride and joy. From the farm, she planted, grew, and sold Christmas Trees, raised dairy goats and chickens, and managed a gift shop of her artistic items. Pam was predeceased by her parents, Captain Robert and Betty Steele, Ret., and niece Jennifer Carlile Foley. Family and friends, left to live without their funny and quick-witted sister, relative, and friend are: Susan S. Carlile, sister, and Gary Carlile, brother-in-law of Williamsburg, VA; Robert Steele, brother and Judith Steele, sister-in-law, of Beaverdam, VA; nephew Daniel, and Stephanie Carlile; nephew Robert and Beverly Steele; nephew Anders and Alison Steele; and niece Eva and Lance Carmine; “Partner -in-Crime”, Judith A. Tanzola, of the home; along with special friends Lindsay and Scott Chandler; Mackenzie and Adam Knighten, and the nieces and nephews, who called her “Aunt Pam”; Piper, Nora, Dache, Lydia, Aidan, Zoey, Viola, Bjorn, Landon, Rome, Lydia, Albert, Ladson…and her cockapoo, Tilly. Special thanks to Dr Jana Morse; Interim Healthcare; and the Agape Care Teams who cared for Pam during her illness. Online condolences may be made to www.thewoodmortuary.com.

Pamela Steele

April 6, 1948 - November 9, 2024