Pamella "Pam" Riley Rector

Pam Riley Rector, 73, of Hornbeak, died peacefully Sunday, August 23, 2020 surrounded by her family at her home on Reelfoot Lake. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, on July 28, 1947, she is the daughter of the late Noel Hugh “Bud” and Blanche Malone Riley.

Pam was a member of Ridgely First United Methodist Church. As a child, she sang solos on Sunday mornings as her sister Cam accompanied her on the organ. Pam is remembered for many things including, her love of her "shortys," her beloved dachshund dogs; her years teaching Sunday school at the United Methodist Church in Dyersburg; and her favorite saying: “There are 365 'fear nots' in the Bible, one for every day of the year.”

Pam loved to open her home not only to friends, but also to host Young Life breakfasts, beautiful bridal parties, Bible studies, and fundraisers. Pam cherished the Serenity Prayer and Elvis Presley’s rendition of “How Great Thou Art ,” and she was often heard singing “Surely The Presence” and “Are You Able Said The Master” while driving, puttering around the house, or relaxing on the couch with her eyes closed.

Hanging in her formal living room, Pam's prized blue velvet curtains were a source of pride and humor, and she routinely threatened to fashion them into a dress and make a grand entrance a la Scarlett O'hara in "Gone With the Wind." Friends and family describe Pam as funny, outspoken, a big presence and have often said there will never be another like Pam Rector.

Celebration of Life Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 29, 2020 located at the Riley Rector Memorial on the boardwalk behind the Reelfoot Lake museum conducted by the Reverend Robert Craig.

Pam is survived by her daughter, Candace Birdie Blue, her granddaughter, Hunter Birdie White, both of Vancouver, WA; her twin sister, Cam Patterson of Tiptonville; and her brother, Noel Hugh “Skip” Riley of Dyersburg.  

In addition to her parents, Pam was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bear” Rector and her son, Riley Hugh Rector. 

The family requests memorials be directed to Reelfoot Rural Ministries, 6923 Minnick Elbridge Road, Obion, TN 38240. You may also donate in Pam's memory to a charity selected by her granddaughter Birdie: The Rainforest Foundation US, 1000 Dean Street, Suite 430, Brooklyn, NY 11238.

We are privileged and honored to serve the Rector family. You may share your condolences and your memories with the family at  www.curryfuneral.com.