My older sister, Pamela Sauder Matlock passed away on December 6, 2019.
My sis by 5 years it was a blessing that she passed not having to endure years of dementia like our mom. She died peacefully after having a seizure ending her life of confusion.
I promise you there will be a happy ending after a sad beginning.
Raised in Gridley, Pam moved with our family to Emporia in 1959 and attendedEmporia State. She and Jerry Wilkinson decided to get married and soon were expecting Jay their first son followed by two additional children; Janie and Chris.
Jerry went to work for a local firm that eventually moved him to Lenexa where things unraveled for the couple and they divorced leaving Pam as a high school graduate and single mother of 3 to fend for herself.
Enter Wayne Matlock, a bigger than life – 5’ 9” maybe and over 300 pounds but solid as a rock. Uncle Wayne as he was affectionately known was unique! Much older than Pam he was a raconteur if ever there was one. A past President of the Kansas Jaycees, Wayne never forgot any one he met and he’d met lots of folks worldwide. Wayne raised horses, played polo, and flew his own airplane. He had more ideas than – well let’s say he was prone on occasion to exaggeration a trait the often upset our father.
I helped my dad’s and Wayne’s relationship by telling dad despite Wayne’soccasional faults he had made Pam VERY HAPPY.
Another redeeming Wayne trait was his two daughters who accepted Pam and gave her more youngsters to spoil.
The Matlocks lived outside Andover where they had a horse and a big home where our families often met for good times and some of Aunt Pam’s legendary cooking.
After Wayne passed Pam purchased a home near Teradyne Country Club in Andover.This was great move as it reconnected Pam with one of her passions – The Miss Kansas Pageant in Pratt.
Pam became associated with Miss Kansas Pageants way back in Jaycee days in Emporia in the seventies. She had helped prepare local winners for Pratt and served as their chaperone on several occasions. Over the years Pam found ways to stay in touch with Miss Kansas people and made many trips to Pratt in June to help out in any way she could.
Especially fun were the times when her home in Andover became the temporary home for a new Miss Kansas several times as they were preparing for Atlantic City and the Miss America pageant.
Pam’s eyes would literally light up anytime Miss Kansas was mentioned so, you will understand our surprise and pleasure when unexpectedly the Miss Kansas pageant announced the creation of the “Momma Pam” scholarship award going to the pageants Rookie of the Year honoring Pam Matlock “a dedicated Miss Kansas volunteer” andmy big sister. Pammy absolutely deserves this boost to her legacy!
I’m Steve Sauder
