Pamela O’Steen Harper

DURHAM Pamela O’Steen Harper, of Durham, flew to the angels on Saturday, November 19, 2016 while surrounded by her loving family, after a short, courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
Pam was born in Durham, N.C. on June 10, 1957 to Edward and Ruth O’Steen. Left to mourn the loss of her beautiful heart and soul are her mother, Ruth O’Steen, her loving husband Richard W. H. Harper III, sisters-in-law Teresa Perry (Bobby), Barbara Miles (Wayne), her beloved uncle Tony Rogers (Joyce), nieces, nephews, cousins, many, many friends, and last, but never least, her fuzzy little ball of love, Pebbles.
Pam was affected with polio at the age of two and fought through its ravages to become a strong, independent woman. She graduated from Southern Durham High school and then from Hardbarger Business College. After school she began a career at the Burroughs Wellcome Company (now GlaxoSmithKline) in R.T.P. that spanned 38 years, where she was responsible for helping to get numerous new drug applications published for government approval. She always wanted to help someone, which was her innate nature. Pam never stopped learning and her remarkable mind grasped, and embraced, each new technology as it was presented to her.
Pam’s love, compassion and caring for all was her trademark, along with her beautiful smile and endearing charms. Pam loved all creatures, great and small, especially dogs, and in particular, Pomeranians.
By chance, at a private party in 1978, her beautiful smile and captivating blue eyes, caught the attention of a pitiful, young musician. So taken with her, was this young musician, that he immediately fell in love (even if he didn’t know it) and they began their journey together. As a lover of all music, she fell deeper in love with his musical side and soon discovered, behind his poorly constructed wall, a huge heart. She proceeded to help mold this poor soul into a productive member of society (she wasn’t going to marry a bum!) and, as love knows no bounds, he immediately became a functioning adult.
She became enamored with his music and became his muse, to the point that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with this remarkable gift from the heavens. He pledged his heart to her, and her alone. They became man and wife, vowing never to be separated by man nor music. And so it was. He played his music for her, he cared for her, and he made any wish he could, come true for her, no matter how large or small. She, in turn, shared her unwavering love with him. Through the years, they laughed and giggled, with each other, and at the world. Their love, never wavering for one another, grew, and continued unabated. Until one day, a scourge, that could not be undone, eventually ripped her from him. In those last moments he promised her, that he would find her soul, yet again, and no matter how long the search, that they, Rick and Pam would be reunited, his heart to hers. The journey begins…..
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Chapel. Rev. Greg Long will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Faron Osteen, Derick Osteen, Marty Osteen, Bobby Perry, Billy Perry and Blake Melton.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.hudsonfuneralhome.com.