Pamela Gibson Bradshaw, my wife for almost 38 years, passed away today. Details of her incredible life follow.
Pamela Bradshaw, age 70, died peacefully at her home in Farragut, Tennessee, Oct. 13, 2020. She was born in Tooele, Utah, to Jack and Darlene Gibson and lived there the first 33 years of her life. She married David Royal in 1967 and they had two daughters, Jodi and Marci. She married Bill Bradshaw in 1982, and they had one son, Jimmy.
Pam was first and foremost a devoted mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. If you Google the phrase “full of life,” you might well find Pam’s picture. Pam touched everyone with her abundant love, be it family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, or complete strangers.
As part of her plan to heal from her original cancer diagnosis in 1996, Pam took up yoga. She immediately became an enthusiast and began teacher training in 2002. She continued with her practice, eventually developing a specialty in yoga instruction to promote healing for those with cancer and other chronic diseases.
Pam received her B.S. degree in communications from the University of Tennessee and worked in the areas of public relations and journalism. She wrote several human interest stories for the Knoxville News Sentinel, Dayton Daily News, and Memphis’ Commercial Appeal, and news stories for several weekly papers in East Tennessee.
Pam’s hobbies included painting, skiing, sailing, hiking, cooking, and most of all being with her family. Over the years “the family” has grown to include many friends who get together often to celebrate birthdays and any other excuse to share a meal with the Bradshaw/Ware/Romero clan. Gatherings of 20 or more are common.
Pam was preceded in death by her parents and sister Jackie. She is survived by her husband Bill; daughters Jodi and Marci and their families; son Jimmy; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister Cindy; brothers Rand, Dev, and Guy; and many nieces and nephews.
Given the pandemic, there will be no service at this time. At some point in 2021, the family plans to host a celebration of life service at the new home she and Bill designed and are building on Watts Bar Lake.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Cancer Support Community of East Tennessee, 2230 Sutherland Ave., Knoxville, TN 37919.