Pamela Arleen Wade Kenner
Pamela Arleen Wade Kenner died on February 6, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Pam was born on Palm Sunday, for which she was named, on April 10, 1960, in Chattanooga, Tn. to the Rev. Thomas M.L. Wade and Betsy Hill Wade, both of whom predeceased her.
Education and lifelong learning were important to Pam. She was a 1978 graduate of Owensboro High School. She attended Murray State University, University of Texas at Arlington, Western Kentucky University, and University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
She was employed in various positions throughout her life, often starting as an administrative assistant and usually wearing many more hats by the time she moved to another organization. Her work as a paralegal for Senator Howard Baker’s law office in Huntsville, Tn., led to political campaign work resulting in the election of the Hon. Van Hillary. Serving as the congressman’s field director took Pam and her son to Crossville, Tn., which would remain her home for the second half of her life. That position entrenched Pam in the community and surrounding areas. Her bonds with the people of the Cumberland Plateau were strengthened further over the remainder of her career in the local healthcare industry. She was scheduled to retire from Uplands Village Retirement Community in April 2025.
As an anchor of her community, she was active in her church, First Methodist, volunteering with the youth, and serving on committees.
At church and as a high school band mom, she made deep connections with countless children and young adults that lasted the rest of her life.
Pam gave unconditional support and celebrated each young person for their individuality.
Pam was always on the go, whether it was traveling to support her sisters and parents, see friends, visit her son and his precious family, or take friends where they needed to go.
Her interests varied throughout her life and included horseback riding in Big South Fork, skydiving with friends, knitting, reading voraciously, taking long walks on the beach, hiking, clowning, rooting for the Dallas Cowboys and the University of Tennessee, and more.
Pam was immensely creative, often making beautiful crafts for Christmas presents or decorating massive venues for weddings, proms, and other events.
She was truly selfless and loved others. If someone needed her, she came. It didn’t matter how far or how long, she was there. She was a devoted friend.
Pam’s life was fully lived in faith. She loved her prayer group, the church youth, and Emmaus Walks.
Her life of giving continued past her time on earth as she donated five organs, sustaining the lives of three people she never knew.
Pam was the middle child, the ballast on the ship of three sisters, always keeping them steady.
Her son, his wife, and her grandchildren were the absolute center of her universe. They adored their Numa.
She is survived by her son, Bart Kenner and his wife, Melissa Kenner, of Linwood, Ks.; grandchildren, Everleigh and Wyatt Kenner of Linwood; sisters, Debi Wade Jordan (Russ Fredrick) of Philpot, Ky. and Sara Wade Abell (Ronnie Abell) of Owensboro, Ky.; two nieces; two nephews; her biological daughter, Emilee Pierson of McKinney, Texas, who by Pam’s gift was adopted by the Milburns; brother-in-law, B.J. Jordan of Bowling Green, Ky.; countless friends and family; and her beloved golden doodle, Romeo.
Visitation will be from 1-4 p.m. CST on Saturday, Feb. 15 and 12-1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16 at First Methodist Church at 100 Braun St., Crossville, Tn.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the church.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Pam’s memory to First Methodist Church Youth Program, Cumberland County Animal Shelter, or the Avalon Center, which provides services to women facing domestic and sexual violence.