Pamela Kay Klineline Cramm, 72
Pamela Kay Klineline Cramm passed peacefully on to eternal life with her Lord on Sunday, March 21, 2021, from her apartment in Austin, Texas. She fought a valiant battle with cancer, not wanting to leave her beloved family and friends behind, but was looking forward to wholeness and happiness in her heavenly home, assured by her relationship with God.
Pam was born Jan. 17, 1949, in Fredericktown, Missouri, to parents Alonzo “Pete” and Virginia Pettyjohn Klineline. She grew up in Gainesville, graduating from GHS with some of her best friends in the class of 1966. After attending college in Springfield for a year, she then pursued a youthful dream of becoming a flight attendant; Pam was a stewardess with Braniff Airlines for a few years while living in Kansas City.
After she married, Pam lived in several towns before moving to Texas. She raised her two children, Jennifer and Kyle, there. Then, after Jennifer and Kyle were established in homes of their own, Pam came home to Ozark County in 2000, her first and then her final home on earth.
Pam and brothers Rockie and Robert partnered to buy Antler Package and Pizza in Gainesville in 1998 from original owners John, Susan and Mark Ault. Under Pam’s supervision, the restaurant continued a proud tradition of making delicious pizza, and in the years that followed Pam became fondly known to her customers as Pizza Pam. She was an excellent hostess, always making a point to greet all patrons and talk to them. In the process, she made many friends from across the country. Folks enjoyed returning, over and over again, being assured of a warm welcome and a delicious meal or a comfortable overnight stay in the adjoining motel. They loved to hear her “Pam” jokes. Pam also answered to Aunt Pam or Pammie—she was known by lots of fond names!
During this time, Pam also was active in caring for her mother, Virginia, in her later years, until she passed in 2015. At that time, Pam moved into Virginia’s farm home at Noble, where she lived until her illness forced her to return to Texas in 2019 for treatment.
Pam was a lifelong member of Gainesville First Christian Church, where she devotedly served in many leadership capacities after she returned to Ozark County. Pam was a deacon and an elder, served on the church board, and was church treasurer. She positively treasured her church family; when she had to be in Texas for medical care, Pam said what she missed the most was being here in church services. It was a blessing when the coronavirus forced the church to stop meeting and began filming services to be viewed on Facebook. That helped her still feel connected to a place that had given her such strength and comfort.
Another important part of Pam’s life after returning to Gainesville was membership in Chapter JP of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She served the chapter in several offices and in attendance at state conventions. At the time of her illness, Pam was generously serving as chapter president, a role she handled with grace and humor. The relationship of sisterhood with Chapter JP’s members was highly valued by Pam and one she took to heart.
An enthusiastic supporter of all community events, from Relay for Life to Hootin an Hollarin, Pam was always present and ready to help. She accepted the role of co-chairman of the queen pageant a few years ago, and along with her friend, co-chairman Becki Strong, made sure that the pageant was well run and enjoyable. She also volunteered at the Ozark County Historium, and she volunteered with Hospice; she was treasurer of the Wasola Volunteer Fire Department and was a member of the Lions Club. Pam generously donated to any cause that was worthwhile.
Pam is survived by her children, Jennifer Verde, husband Kevin, and beloved grandchildren Luca and Leia, of Austin, Texas, and Kyle Cramm and wife Regan of Houston, Texas; her brothers, Rockie Klineline and wife Janet of Marionville, and Robert Klineline and fiancée Sandy Heriford of Gainesville; dear nieces and nephews, April Luna and husband Todd, with children Hunter, Chase and Stella of Noble; Shad Klineline and wife Kari, with sons Kaden, Kanien “Buddha” and T.K. of Marionville; and Logan Klineline of North Dakota. She will also be missed by her aunts, Virginia Kester and Irene O’Harra of Springfield and her uncle, Bill Pettyjohn of The Dalles, Oregon, and all of her many cousins.
She was predeceased by her parents, grandparents and sister-in-law Pama Jo Klineline.
All of Pam’s many friends were a treasured part of her life. She had a gift for making each of them feel they were special to her. Although they are too numerous to mention, one friend in particular deserves the family’s thanks and recognition. Mary Robbins Kyle spent several weeks with Pam in the months before her death. The two friends, who had loved one another since being high school classmates, had participated in Hospice training prior to Pam’s illness; it was such a gift that Mary was able to help take care of Pam in her last weeks. She was truly an angel used by God at this time of need.
Remembrance services for Pam Cramm will be Friday, April 9, at the First Christian Church in Gainesville; visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., and the memorial service, officiated by Pam’s former pastor, Bobby Jo Wade, will be at 2:00 p.m., as a celebration of the life of a beautiful and beloved woman. If desired, memorial contributions can be made to First Christian Church, Chapter JP Memorial Scholarship, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Donations may be left at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Gainesville.
Please honor Pam’s wishes by practicing safety measures at the service: wear masks and try to maintain a safe distance.
This paid obituary is published as submitted by family.