Beloved Carryou Ministry founder dies at 83

Pamela Jamison (83) changed the lives of many. Now, as her family arranges her funeral, her lasting impression will forever be in the hearts of those who loved her.

Pamela passed away on Saturday, January 18 in the hospital due to natural causes. She leaves behind her husband, daughter, son, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a whole community who will cherish her forever.

Her daughter, Wendy de Klerk, explained her mother had always been a part of community contributions. Pamela used to work as a nurse and many called her Sister Pam. During her years as a nurse, she received various certificates of thanksgiving, honouring the legacy she left behind as a caregiver.

Eventually, Pamela started a non-profit organisation known as Carryou Ministry where she primarily helped patients suffering from Aids. Whenever the patient would succumb to their disease, Pamela would look after their children if the children were left orphaned.

However, as the organisation grew, Pamela would not only care for Aids patients but also orphaned children as well as the sick and elderly. For 25 years Pamela devoted herself to caring for the community and its dependent people. She also worked at Friendship Haven for a while, giving care to the elderly.

Wendy mentioned her brother was born deaf. She added they lived in Zambia at the time and Pamela had to take him to a specialist in South Africa. When the specialist stated it would be best to put her child in a special school, Pamela declined the offer.

“My mother said she could not leave my brother here alone in South Africa. She wanted to put him in a normal school so that he could learn how to deal with real-life challenges,” Wendy explained.

Pamela made it her goal to give her deaf child speech therapy lessons by herself after taking a course. Through this, Wendy also learnt how to read before she went to Grade One.

“This just goes to show what a dedicated person my mother was and what she would do for the people she loved,” Wendy expressed.

Pamela was also honoured with a Woman of the Year award.

She received two plaques from the church for playing the organ for a number of consecutive years and being a leader in the community. Wendy went on to explain that Pamela trained caregivers and even developed her own course and a manual on how to care for patients. She used to train local caregivers and caregivers from as far as Krugersdorp and Carletonville.

“She was known as a person who never raised her voice. She was a patient and calm person. She was always giving love and comfort to people. We will miss her smile so much. You always knew when she was in the room because she had such a strong aura. She was so dedicated and she would not give up. She made a tremendous impact in the community and she was very loved,” Wendy said.

The funeral will take place at the St John Divine Anglican Church on Tuesday, February 4.