Pamela Varner

Pamela Chantale Maness Varner, 69, of Spencer, was a sassy lady with a big heart who had a fondness for red and singing old timey gospel. She never found a plant she couldn’t make flourish just like she did with everyone she knew. Pam was a strong woman of science and faith that held her family and many others together. She never put herself in the limelight or had to be the center of attention when maybe she should have been. Pam was always there to teach a life lesson, give a hug or a pat of comfort or encouragement, or to make people feel special. She passed away Tuesday, February 9, 2021 after a hard fought battle of nearly two months in the ICU. Her family was called in multiple times to say goodbye – she even had prayers of absolution twice – but her fierce spirit kept pulling her through. Even in her last days she taught endurance and motivation. She never gave up, even when it made sense to do so and would tell her daughters “the arrow is in the target” – you have already succeeded, you just have to do it – and “can’t never could”.

She taught so many people important life lessons out of ordinary events – like a bird pooping on her daughter. An avid bird watcher, Pam was queried why she would feed something that crapped on her. She just brushed it off (literally and metaphorically) and focused on the beauty of nature and the bigger picture. Pam trained students in the laboratory, was a Girl Scout leader, a bible school teacher, a mom, wife, sister, and a friend.

Pam was born February 1, 1952 in Greensboro to the late Robert Lindsay Maness and the late Sarah Juanita Grubbs Maness Hill.

Pam was a trailblazer – the first person in her family that went to college obtaining multiple advanced degrees. Pam was a mother to two girls who were the light of her life and a wife. She was her daughters’ best friend and an active adventure buddy and confidant. Pam loved traveling, historic sites, home and garden design, and soaking up culture and history. She was the family historian and an artist, carrying on the family tradition of painting decorative arts and creating decorative textiles. She frequently went on excursions with her two girls and genuinely cared, being their, and others, greatest champion and support. She worked at the VA Medical Center laboratory for more than 37 years.

She enjoyed getting together with her family to have craft days. She was a great teacher of different techniques and took in everything she could from others who came. Pam always brought a delicious meal or snack that everyone enjoyed and was happy to share the recipe. She liked hiking, camping, walking in nature, African violets, laughter, and her fur babies. She had an infectious smile, a twinkle in her eye when teasing, and an adorable snort laugh that made everyone join her.

Though her leaving has devastated her loved ones, Pam's lessons and love will live on, and the world is a much better place because of her. Her darlings, sweetheart, baby bears, turkeys, and pumpkin dumplings will miss her, her unconditional love, and being the center of her universe.

The family will receive friends at Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord on Sunday, February 14, 2021 from 4:00 pm - 7:00pm, with an all-faith rosary prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary) service at 6:00 pm.  The funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, February 15, 2021 at St James The Greater Catholic Church in Concord, officiated by Father Jerome Chavarria. All faiths are welcome to the church. Instructions will be provided so that all can participate to the level with which they are comfortable.

Those left to cherish Pamela's memory include her beloved husband of 46 years, Lawrence Kelly Varner of Spencer; daughters, Meghan Varner of Spencer and Elizabeth Varner and husband, Andrew Ogilvie, of Baltimore, MD; fur babies, Little Man and Simon Webster; siblings, Mary “Sugar Baby” Jenkins (Greg); Howard “Bubba” Maness (Janet); and Karen “KayKay” Olmsted (Brad); and many nieces and nephews.

Please send plants and flowers to Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Varner family.

Online condolences may be made and stories and photos of Pam can be uploaded at www.hartsellfh.com