Obituary of Pamela Lea Martin

Pamela Lea Schafer Martin, 47, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 14th, 2015, in Asheville, NC at Solace hospice facility. Born June 24th, 1968 in Honolulu, Hawaii, and adopted at 3mos old by Raymond Joseph Schafer & Faye Turner Schafer (both US Air Force, retired), Pamela had a vitality and zest for life that carried her through many challenges, and to much prosperity in life. She graduated from Gibbs High School in Pinellas Park FL in 1986 and then enlisted in the Army Reserves, serving in the 349th Combat Support Hospital, Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, as an Operating Room Specialist. In 1990 she married Kevin ‘Kev’ Martin, of St. Petersburg, FL and they enjoyed 25yrs of surprise-filled marriage, including adventures with their two well-travelled children. Pamela graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1996, majoring in Interdisciplinary Health Studies with emphasis in Psychology and English. Her professional career spanned the spectrum of health care, children and elderly care, including quality improvement consultant at Northside Hospital (Atlanta, GA), case manager for Appalachian Community Services (Franklin, NC), Community Services for Children (Western Region NC), Grandfather Home for Children (Banner Elk, NC) and director of social services at Buford Manor (Buford, GA). She also did important work in the field of animal-assisted care and therapy, of which she was especially proud. She received numerous Service Excellence awards throughout her career, but her heart’s desire was to work with animals and people at the same time. A gifted animal trainer and communicator, in 1997 Pamela founded and directed Therapy Dogs of Georgia, a volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to training service dogs for therapy placement in nursing homes, or with individual families in need. She and her beloved ‘Fenway’, a shelter-adopted Golden Retriever, were recognized as the ‘Professional Therapy Animal Team of the Year’ in 2004, and Fenway was inducted into the GA Veterinary Medical Association’s GA Animal Hall of Fame. She also established her “Paws To Read” program in the public schools, which helps schoolchildren build reading and oratory confidence by reading aloud to a trained dog in sitting, attentive position. Pam & Fenway enjoyed national attention, appearing on the PAX television network show ‘Animal Tails’. The Paws to Read program lives on in many forms today around the world. Her genuine gifts of compassion coupled with straight talk, and her generous nature in helping other adults, was bested only by her ability to do exactly the same for children in difficult circumstances, and for all of the animals she loved and that loved her, without condition. Pamela also cherished her extended church family of St. John’s Episcopal- Cartoogechaye, Franklin, NC. She is survived by her husband Kev Martin, and daughter McKinney Martin of Franklin, NC; son Cole Martin, USCG-Walnut, Honolulu, HI. She is also survived by her beloved Aunt Beulah Turner House, cousins Faye Sexton & Sonya Begley & family, David & Linda Cupp and Leslie Ryser & family, of the London, KY area, as well as nieces and nephews Christopher Asbury, Amanda Lindsey, and Scott & Nicholas Huddleson of the Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater, FL area. As genealogy was another of Pam’s deep interests and talents, she later in life researched, found and connected with her biological family, most notably her biological mother, Marjorie Dunn of Pinehurst, Idaho, and many more relatives and cousins with whom she developed deep relationships with, long-distance. Travelling around the country to visit with friends and family members while researching family histories was one of her most enjoyed pastimes in recent years, and the ”gifts of knowledge” she left behind will be treasured for generations to come. She will be missed dearly, but always present in our hearts… A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 29th, at 4 o’clock in the afternoon at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 542 St Johns Church Rd, Franklin, NC 28734 "Our family invites you to join us for the memorial service for Pamela at St. John's Episcopal Church (Cartoogechaye) in Franklin, NC., at Four O’clock in the afternoon, Saturday, August 29th (approx. 7mi West of Lowe’s/K-Mart @ Westgate Plaza). A celebratory reception at Lone Willow Farm, 6911 Murphy Road, Franklin, will follow afterwards (1/4mi west of the Church). Covered side dishes and desserts are welcome. All are welcome, and we encourage you to bring your well-behaved animals! Parking is available." A memorial message may be shared with the family by visiting www.appalachianfuneralservices.com/tribute/current-services/index.html or by posting to Pam’s public announcement facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/1104230767/posts/10204866623641083/?pnref=story In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to assist the family with medical obligations, and to support the many charities and groups Pamela was involved with by visiting http://pamelamartinmemorialfund.mydagsite.com/the_story