Pamela Kaye Burnett Garofas

Send Flowers

Service Schedule
Chapel
St. John's Episcopal Church
625 Pecan Street
Helena, AR  72342
Friday, May 28, 2021
2:00 p.m.
Cemetery
Maple Hill Cemetery
Holly Street
Helena, AR  72342
Pamela Kaye Burnett Garofas

of Jonesboro, AR

January 21, 1949 - May 23, 2021

Pamela Kaye Burnett Garofas, of Jonesboro, AR, and formerly of West Helena, AR passed away on May 23, 2021, at the age of 72.

Pam is survived by her daughters, Kara Garofas Newingham, her husband Larry Newingham of Lake Charles, LA and Kate Garofas Zachary, her husband Constantine "Dean" Zachary of Jonesboro, AR; her grandchildren Madelyn and Garret Newingham; three sisters Paula Ollar, Joan Herrmann, her late husband Dan Herrmann, and Jill Finley, her husband Tony, and one brother Craig Burnett, his wife Dee Burnett; a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews that she loved dearly.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, John Paul Garofas; parents, Paul and Beulah Burnett; and brother, Paul Jay Burnett all of Malvern, AR.
Pam graduated in 1967 from Malvern High School and obtained a BSE in elementary education from the State College of Arkansas, now UCA in Conway. Pam taught 26 years at Beech Crest Elementary in West Helena. She had a strong faith in God and was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church.

After her retirement from the public-school system, she attended Phillips College of the University of Arkansas and completed hospitality courses. Pam was the Manager of the Arkansas Welcome Center at Helena-West Helena for 15 years and enjoyed a second retirement in 2014. She had a passion for helping others while promoting tourism in Arkansas especially the Delta region. She also enjoyed welcoming riverboat tourists visiting the area. Pam was often complemented on her special ability to read an Arkansas map upside down.

She loved being a "Yia-Yia" to her grandchildren and spoiled her grand-dogs, Noah, Sophia, Boo, and the late Britney, her beloved Bassett. Pam enjoyed watching and calling the Hogs. One of her favorite memories was sitting in Tiger Stadium as the Arkansas Razorbacks battled for the Golden Boot in November 2007. The game went into three overtimes beating the LSU Tigers. She was giddy after the much-deserved victory.

Pam was always proud of her daughters or as she called them her "girls" and was their number one supporter. She treasured her friendships from the Current Topic Club and missed them
dearly after she moved to Jonesboro.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to, Dr. Pranab Das of Memphis, TN, for his devoted care, skill, and friendship; to her infusion nurse, Stephanie Patterson, for her loving care of our Mother during difficult times. Also, special thanks to Kate and Dean for their committed daily caregiving.

Funeral services to celebrate Pam's life will be held in Helena, AR, at St. John's Episcopal Church on Friday, May 28, 2021 at 2:00 p.m., followed by burial at Maple Hill Cemetery. Friends and family are asked to follow COVID protocols by wearing a mask while socially distancing.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the following: Meals on Wheels for Helena-West Helena Dogs, 622 Pecan Street, Helena, AR, 72342; American Heart Association, heart.org; or to St.
John's Episcopal Church, 625 Pecan St., Helena, AR, 72342.

Services will be directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870) 572-2571. Relatives and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena.

Sign Guestbook

14 Condolence(s)
Bill Branch
Memphis, TN
Liked
Thursday, June 10, 2021

A very special lady. Enjoyed knowing her while I worked in Helena, Arkansas at the Delta Cultural Center.

LeVaughn Smith
Helens, AZ
Liked
Friday, May 28, 2021

Pam seemed to me to be perfectly suited for her jobs as teacher and welcome host. She was very likeable.

Her many friends will miss her. I know I certainly will.

Freida Johnston
West Helena, AR
Liked
Thursday, May 27, 2021

Girls I’m so sorry bout Pam. I’ve known her since you girls were small. I knew her by the beauty shop and cleaning her house. She was a very sweet lady. I know she will be missed. Freida Johnston.

Joe and Debra Bittles
Malvern, AR
Liked
Thursday, May 27, 2021

We are so very sorry to hear of Pam’s passing. She was such a sweet lady and I know you all will miss her terribly. We are thinking of and praying for all of you.

Martin Reese
Eudora, AR
Liked
Thursday, May 27, 2021

Pam will be missed very much! She was a very sweet lady and would do anything for you. My wife, Kim and I loved her very much! Praying for her family.

Pat and Diann Lederman
Lexa, AR
Liked
Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Kate and Kara,

Pat and I are so sorry for your loss. I worked with Pam at Beech Crest for several years. She was a very sweet lady. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

Gary Wheeler
Poplar Grove, AR
Liked
Wednesday, May 26, 2021

She was a very nice lady and a great ambassador for the state.

STEPHANIE PATTERSON
Paragould, AR
Liked
Wednesday, May 26, 2021

She meant so much to me. I always looked forward to visiting with her and was glad I was the one to care for her treatment needs. I will miss celebrating each little holiday that the home was so beautifully decorated in by Kate (and her if she was able). We would talk about her children, grandchildren, grand-pups, health, and she always had a caring concern for my well being. I will truly miss her and will carry her memories with me all of my days. Kate, Dean, Kara, and family-I am praying for your peace and comfort during this difficult time.

Dorothy Lucas
Lake Village, AR
Liked
Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Pam was a sweet and dear person. I worked with her while she was Manager of the Helena Welcome Center . Her personality outshined everything. She was missed when she retired but she will forever be in our hearts. She never met a strangler.
Another solider in God army that has gotten there wings. Her work is done and now it is time to rest.
God Bless

Lynette Burt Murphy
Jonesboro, AR
Liked
Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Garofas Girls:
I am so sorry to see the loss of Pam. What a sweet and lovely lady she was. You are each in my thoughts and prayers.

Ann Lee
West Helena, AR
Liked
Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Kara and Kate,
I’m so sorry about your mother. I enjoyed teaching with her at Beech Crest.

Carol Ragsdale
Drasco, AR
Liked
Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Pam was a loving friend and always made me feel important to her. She made everyone feel special. I only have precious memories of Pam.

Stephanie Graznak
West Helena, AR
Liked
Tuesday, May 25, 2021


When I moved here in 1978, I taught with John and, through him, knew Pam long before we met face-to-face. You hear about people who were meant to be together. That was true of them. They stayed in love and they raised their girls to know what married, forever love looks like. She was the kind of mother who instilled so much support, devotion and love, that Kara and Kate didn't "need" to take care of their mother. They "wanted" to look after her. And she knew that. Her girls' lives were a constant and delightful topic that she shared with all of us. Like all of us, I have a number of treasured moments, most of mine spent in Current Topic meetings. The first time that i attended a meeting at Pam's, I got to see her beautiful home, so gently tended, so warm. I knew that Pam loved to cook, and since our meetings always closed with refreshments, I expected something lovely and carefully made. What I didn't expect was a table full of enough food for 20 people to have a complete meal. She loved entertaining so much and she was so good at it. And so funny. She was inviting. She was lovely.
In the last few days, as I've thought of Pam, something has eluded me. So many of those small exchanges. What wasn't I remembering? And then it came to me. What made Pam so different from just about everyone I know, was that, in all those years, I never once heard Pam say a single, negative thing about anyone or anything. Her health, daily annoyances, you name it--Pam was a cheerleader or she was quiet. We said, "It's so hot out!". Pam said, "We are so blessed to have air-conditioning!" What a sweet blessing it was to be in the same world space as Pam. Her inspiration will stay with all of us, soft and gentle in our hearts, our memories, our future.

jim mayer
Baton Rouge, LA
Liked
Tuesday, May 25, 2021

PAMELA WAS SUCH A SPECIAL PERSON SHE AND JOHN WERE SUCH A SPECIAL COUPLE. I WAS A LIFETIME FRIEND OF JOHN AND HE WAS SO BLESSED TO HAVE PAMELA. JIM MAYER