Pamela Vasseur

COOKEVILLE CHAPEL - Pamela Joy Vasseur

Scripture reminds us of that truth in Psalm 139:“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them.”

Pamela Joy Taylor was born on September 26, 1946, in Brown City, Michigan, to Doris and R.G. Taylor. Her maternal grandparents, Thomas and Hazel Hudie, were from Peck, Michigan, and her paternal grandparents, Clarence and Elsie Taylor, were from Saginaw, Michigan. Pam was the oldest of four children. The Taylor family grew to include Richard (Judy) Taylor, David (Diane) Taylor, and Jill (Monty) Wiseman.

She spent her early years in Melvin, Michigan, before the family moved to Detroit. In 1961, they settled in Livonia, where Pam attended both Franklin and Bentley High Schools. In 1967, she married the love of her life, Gordon Rolland Vasseur.

Together, they built a life rooted in faith, service, and family. They were active in the Jaycees, founded Dixie Laboratory and Supply Company, and became deeply involved at First Baptist Church of Farmington. Their family grew with the birth of their three daughters—Renee, Jennifer, and Rebecca.

In 1978, Pam and Gordon moved to Walled Lake, Michigan. Wherever she lived, my mom found ways to serve her Savior, Jesus Christ, by serving others. Through Dixie Lab and Supply Company, engraved items, managing Eye Saw the Clown, and her dedication at First Baptist Church of Wixom, her hands and heart were always busy helping people.

Camp CoBeAc became our summer home, thanks to my mom’s incredible talent as a craft leader for more than a decade. When it became necessary to drive her girls twenty-four miles to school, she didn’t hesitate—she started a van route and picked up other students along the way. Our family later became part of Dixie Baptist Church in Clarkston, Michigan.

As her daughters grew, life continued to unfold. Renee and her family moved to Pennsylvania. Jennifer moved to Texas. But my mom never stopped living fully. Some of her fondest memories surely included family dinners out—often made more joyful by Gordon ’s balloons, which brought smiles to strangers and occasionally earned a free dessert.

Pam and Gordon eventually joined Lakes Baptist Church in Walled Lake, where they formed deep friendships. Pamela served as secretary for Don Magee and began a birthday card ministry—one that followed her to every church she attended. Remembering people mattered deeply to her.

After my dad retired, they moved to Cookeville, Tennessee, so they could be more centrally located to family. They joined First Baptist Church of Cookeville and immediately became active in the senior ministry. Pam helped plan senior trips—a role she was perfectly suited for, having once worked as a map maker for AAA, back when navigation took skill, not an app.

My parents had a remarkable gift for hospitality. They welcomed everyone. While living in Walled Lake, they opened their hearts and home to a young couple in need of both work and housing, bartering with them to build an apartment. Years later in Cookeville, they were known for their Saturday morning breakfast with friends and their evening game time. Often travelers would often stay in their home, where they were met with a hot meal, genuine conversation, and the kind of kindness that made strangers feel like family.

Pam had the opportunity to join my dad on several mission trips, including to Romania, India, and Trinidad and Tobago. She also spent many summers working with Builders for Christ. In her atlas, there was a circle drawn—five hundred miles from Cookeville—marking how far their travels could take them. Within that circle, they met countless interesting people and made lifelong connections.

Over the years, her legacy expanded beautifully as grandchildren arrived.

Pamela Joy Vasseur went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 22 ahead of her husband, Gordon, after 58 years 5 months and 20 days of marriage. She leaves behind her daughter Renee and son-in-law Ken Dockery, and their children: Andrew, Kelly—now with four children of her own William, Mason, Ivy Mei and Layna —Erin, and Derek. She is also survived by her daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Mark Williams, and their children: Cameron, Patricia, Reagan, and Charles. Also by her daughter Becky Dyer and her sons, Alex and Nathan.

Moms mom’s life was one of faith, service, creativity, and love. She showed us what it means to live intentionally, to care deeply, and to serve joyfully. Her days were written by God long before any of us knew her—but we are forever grateful that we were part of her story. I know that she will live forever with her Savior because she believed on the JESUS as her Savior.