My name is Pam Vollentine and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on a life full of love, joy and cherished memories.
I was born on April 10, 1961, to Woody and Pat Travis, and I was blessed with a beautiful journey here that came to a close on June 9, 2024, when I was welcomed into the arms of Jesus.
I moved out of the big City of Houston to Cooks Point when I was 9 years old and worked at the store with my dad. It was here that I met my life long friend Joe.
In Caldwell, I met my match and for 45 years, I was fortunate to share my adventures with the love of my life, Bill Vollentine.
Together, we raised four wonderful daughters: Kristi, Misti, Lindsay and Susanne.
Our journey was not just about our family. It was also about building a life together at Vollentine’s Garage.
When my health began to decline, our daughter Susanne stepped into help Bill run the shop, until Bill retired in 2023 to care for me during my final cancer battle.
My heart was always filled with affection for my fur babies: Sofi, Freddy, Luci and Coco and many others.
I learned the art of cooking, gardening, tending to animals and being a fabulous wife, mother and friend from the best -- my beloved mother-in-law, Nathalie Vollentine.
My life was rich with the love of my family, the beauty of nature and the joy of travel. Concan, where I grew up on the Frio River, El Dorado Royale on the Mexican Riviera and The Houstonian, where I was pampered like a queen, were my favorite places.
But traveling with my family, hunting or fishing were always my passions.
You could usually find me outside with some kind of nature.
I enjoyed going to the beach with Lindsay, soaking up the pampering all over creation with Kristi, hunting with Misti and cooking with Susanne.
Though I am preceded in death by my parents, Patricia and Woody Travis; my mother-in-law, Nathalie Vollentine; fatherin- law, John Vollentine; sisters-in-law, Rebecca Vollentine Shannon and Kim Vollentine; brotherin-law,
Johnny Vollentine; and nephew, Chris Travis, my spirit remains with my beloved husband, Bill, my daughters and their families: Kristi Fox Satsky and husband, Jody, Misti Machinski and husband, Eric, Lindsay Darthard and husband, Nolan, and Susanne Vollentine and her fiancé, Mark Johnson.
My beautiful grandchildren are Natalie and Delaney Satsky, Todd Aviles and his fiancé, Liz Wright, Alana Hernandez and her husband, Miguel, Jordan Hall and his fiancé, Devan Gibbs, Caitlyn Roush, Nick and Brooke Darthard, Daxton Morris, Ellie Mitchell, and Kason Johnson.
I also leave behind Brian Lauderdale (Bubba) and his wife, Jackie, who was like the son I was never blessed with.
I leave behind my siblings, Ricky Travis (Cyndi) and Darla Dempsey (John); my brothers-inlaw, Forest Vollentine, Guy Vollentine (Kay), and Steve Vollentine; my sisters-in-law (and one of my best friends) Jeanne Vollentine and Laura Hampton (Chris Mouton); and my brothers in my heart, Jack Cuderyo and his wife, Jennifer, and Joe and my best friend, Lillian Crnkovic; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins who also held special places in my heart.
Please join my family at 11 a.m. on June 17, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Caldwell, Texas, for a Mass to honor my life.
A meal and visitation will be held at the church after the memorial service. Please wear purple to honor me. That would make me very happy, I know.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Pam Vollentine Cancer Fund at Citizens State Bank in Caldwell to help with expenses or St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Caldwell.
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Amedisys Hospice, especially Lynn, Courtney, Autumn, Q, Laurie and many others for their incredible care and love of my family during this battle My girls call me a “warrior,” and I am honored to have served as that. I hope my strength can be a reminder to all to fight hard for what you love and for your life. It’s so precious. Family is everything. And I’m proud that I never gave up.
Y’all don’t cry. I’ll see you when you get here.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Strickland Funeral Home. They invite you to visit their website at www.stricklandfuneralhomes. com and sign the online register book.