Pam R. Whittemore

Pamela Kay Rogers Whittemore, age 74, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025. Pam was born in Mullins, South Carolina, on October 12, 1951. Her unwavering kindness, warmth, Grace, and deep devotion to caring for others are the traits for which she will be remembered.
 
Pam attended Ohio County High School before continuing her education at Murray State University, where she earned both her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and her Master of Arts in Elementary Education. It was also at Murray State where she met her beloved husband, Thomas M. Whittemore. On May 3, 1975, Pam and Tommy married, beginning a life together that would span more than fifty years—years defined by deep love, steadfast faith, shared purpose, laughter, and an unbreakable bond. Their marriage was rooted in the promise to care for one another in sickness and in health, a promise they honored daily with unwavering devotion. Through every season of life, Pam and Tommy were constant companions, each other’s greatest comfort and truest home, remaining faithfully side by side until Pam was peacefully called home.
 
Pam had many dear friends, loved children, and above all else, lived by the principle of service above self. Though she never had biological children of her own, she was a mother in countless ways—cherishing her many nieces and nephews, guiding her sisters, and being a loving, motherly presence to the two boys blessed to grow up next door. Her love was never limited by blood; if you were in her life, you belonged.
 
Pam dedicated decades of service to First Christian Church Preschool, where she touched generations of children and families with her wisdom, patience, and remarkable ability to see the best in every child. As FCC Preschool Director, her leadership shaped the program into a nurturing environment where children thrived. The countless lives she helped mold remain forever grateful for her guidance and love.
 
Beyond the preschool, Pam was deeply committed to her church community. She served faithfully as both a deacon and elder at First Christian Church, and one of her proudest achievements was co-founding the Super Senior Program, a ministry that enriched the lives of older members and reflected her lifelong devotion to service. Her faith and leadership were cornerstones of her life.
 
She also devoted many years to the American Cancer Society, offering compassion and comfort to others in the community, long before she later faced—and overcame—cancer herself.
 
Pam loved dogs and rescued many throughout her lifetime, giving each one a loving home—often to Tommy’s tongue-in-cheek chagrin, which never stood a chance against Pam’s heart, as he ultimately loved every dog just as deeply. She was also a gifted cook and a gracious host, creating a home filled with warmth, laughter, and unforgettable meals. For more than forty years, the home Pam and Tommy shared was the heart of Christmas celebrations and her famous Christmas dinner. It was only fitting that on Christmas, Pam was surrounded by those she loved most—the very people with whom she had shared more than forty Christmas nights, a circle of family and friends reflecting the enduring love, warmth, and traditions she and Tommy created together.
 
Pam was the daughter of Lonnie R. Rogers Jr. and Carolyn Croom Rogers. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her dear friend Kris Straub, whose memory she cherished deeply.
 
She is survived by her loving husband of more than fifty years, Thomas M. Whittemore of Paducah; her sisters, Jan Haley of Centerville, Tennessee, and Kim Enix (Barry) of Benton, Kentucky; her nieces and nephews, Jarin Haley of Centerville, Tennessee, Will Haley of Benton, Jadrian Charette of Brewers, Kentucky, and Cory Enix of Nashville, Tennessee; and her great-niece, Jaley Charette. She also leaves behind many dear friends who were family in every sense of the word, including her “sons,” Eric Straub (Emma) and Jason Straub (Emma), and their father, Rick Straub (Cathy).
 
Pam will be remembered for the way she made people feel: loved, welcomed, and deeply cared for. Her life was a testament to faith, service, and love—and at the heart of it all was a marriage marked by devotion, tenderness, and more than fifty years of shared life. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched.
 
A memorial visitation will be held from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah. 
 
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 2174, or the First Christian Church of Paducah Preschool, 415 Audubon Drive, Paducah, KY 42001. 
 
Share a memory or leave a message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.