Pamela E. Bardwell

Pamela Ernestine Bardwell was born on June 13, 1942 in Santa Barbara, California. Her mother died when she was the tender age of four. Pam eventually became the sibling of fifteen children. Pam had a quiet manner, possessed a deep love for children, and carried herself with strong social grace. Her early life taught her how to survive hardship and loss, as well as the importance of family, faith, and friends. She met her soulmate, Emmett Oakley Green, while he was in the Air Force stationed in California. The couple married in Las Vegas, relocated to the east coast, and rooted their family in the Washington DC / Maryland metropolitan area where they raised their daughter Laura. Pam’s first career was at Pacific Bell Telephone Company (Verizon) where she developed four dear friendships with Irene (& Ernie) Gardner, Denise (& Stanley) Burroughs, Mary McLaughlin, and Sheila Thomas. Pam took an early retirement from the phone company to accomplish her lifelong dreams – obtaining her college degree and working with children. Pam graduated magna cum laude from the Notre Dame of Maryland University and immediately began her second career as a teacher for Baltimore County Public Schools. Cultured and discerning, Pam went to sleep most nights to classical music, taught her daughter to play the piano, and enjoyed reading. Pam had an incredible voice and sang with the choir at St. Bernadine Roman Catholic Church in Baltimore. An excellent seamstress, she constructed several of her own outfits, her daughters’ dresses growing up, and even made a bunny costume for her goddaughter, Tracy, so she would shine in her school play. The last years of her life were difficult and she fought strongly against Alzheimer’s and depression. Her life’s teachings will forever be in our hearts and we are eternally grateful for the time she shared with us. Pam was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings: Bonnie Walker, Raymond Bardwell, Judy Bardwell, Joyce Hunter, Bonita Hunter, Vernon Bardwell, Ralph Sullivan, Lawrence Sullivan, Mary Griffin, and brother-in-law: Dr. Clinton V. Turner, Sr. She leaves her loving former husband and forever best friend of over 50 years: Emmett Green, Daughter: Laura Louise Green, Godchildren: Tracy (& James) Pendleton, Dwayne (& Shamane) Gardner, Darryl (& Alison) Gardner, Rosendo (& Karen) LaBoy, and Damien (& Rachelle) Gardner, Siblings: Ernestine Patterson, Ranaa Ross, Shirley Allen, Vernon Bardwell, Anita Brewton, Ruben Moten, Sisters In-Law: Shirley Diggs, Aldora Turner, Brother-In -Law: Lawrence Diggs and a host of other relatives and friends. In lieu of gifts, please consider making a donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in honor of Pamela E. Bardwell. https://bit.ly/DonatetoLDF If you make a donation, kindly click the “in Memoriam” box and fill out the fields with: Name: Pamela Bardwell Family name: Laura L. Green Address; 53382 Wyndholme Circle, Baltimore MD 21229 Email:Njoceanbreeze@yahoo.com

Tributes

Pamela E. Bardwell

June 14, 1942 - May 31, 2020