Pamela Jo Lagrone was born on January 31, 1955 in Norfolk, Virginia. She became Pamela Jo Compton on June 20, 1957 when her adoption was finalized to William (Bill) and Jean Compton.
God had incredible plans for Pam’s life. Pam’s new mom and dad
loved God with all their hearts, and would be an example that would lead her to a personal relationship with Jesus that would be hers for the rest of her earthly life and now forever beyond!!
Pam grew up in Jacksonville Beach Florida due to her dad being stationed at the Mayport Naval facility. Bill retired from the navy with 26 years served and then went on to become a fireman at the same base for another 20 years. With the love for God at the heart of this family, Pam was in church from the very beginning of her new life. Church was where she became interested in singing, playing the piano, and found her passion for music. Her musical passion blossomed with each passing year leading her to the local college where she continued her training.
Shortly after high school she was married to Phillip Vosielle and the couple had 3 children John Christopher, Bryan, and Leigh, two of whom left us too soon.
When this relationship ended, Pam was living in Central Florida and started to attend Trinity Baptist Church. Trinity was inspirational for Pam due to their music program and the opportunities they provided for spiritual growth and development of her musical talents. It did not take long for her to feel like, “She was home.” Her admiration, respect and love for pastor Lovett never dwindled, only grew stronger for her mentor and friend.
God was carefully directing Pam’s steps to guide her to the beginning of a journey that would last the rest of her earthly life. That same year in 1979, she began to attend Trinity and she met the love of her life, her soul mate, me (Ben Castaldo). We became an item from the very beginning. On March 11, 1980, here in this very sanctuary, we were married.
Bryan and Leigh were such an added blessing in my life. I’ve always felt honored to have been able to share in being their dad and I’m grateful for the relationship with Phillip Voiselle, Bryan and Leigh’s biological father. Phil was always a very positive part of Bryan and Leigh’s life. We all struggled together when we lost Leigh ten years ago in an automobile accident but we grew stronger as family during this time.
After a tubal reversal in 1985, which was an experimental surgery at the time, Pam and I began to grow our family. On March 3 rd of 1986 we had Kimberly, on Christmas Day 1986 we had Pamela, on Valentine’s Day 1988 we had Benjamin Joseph Jr. (BJ) and on Aprils Fools Day 1989 Stan was born. Go figure! To this very moment I still can see, with my mind’s eye, the four baby swings, side by side, bringing PEACE to a sometimes often chaotic house!
For the next nine years Pam an I served together as a team in various ministry positions such as children church leadership, Sunday school teachers,
worship leaders and so many more that I can’t even remember all the different places God used us to bring Him Glory. What I do remember vividly is that Pam and I were ALWAYS TOGETHER serving HIM. When I was struggling, God used her for my strength and encouragement, and when Pam would struggle God used me to strengthen and encourage her.
Serving the Lord together at Trinity Baptist church with Pastor Virgil & Diane and all our church family, lives on to this day. This is validated by all of you who have come to celebrate the life of “My Lady.” Pam loved Pastor Virgil and often would reflect on times spent with him. She was like a sponge soaking up every ounce of Pastors musical talent and ability so she could become better able to walk out Gods leading in her life. (Pastor Virgil, Pam loved you with all her heart) Trinity was the launching pad for how God would ultimately use Pam the rest of her earthly life.
Around 1985 God continued equipping Pam to walk in her destiny when He directed our steps to serve at Faithworld. For the next four years I saw Pam continue to grow spiritually and musically under Pastor Clint Brown. Pam and I were always amazed at the supernatural anointing of Pastor Clint’s music. The music God poured out of Pastor Clint touched Pam’s heart and took her to a new level of leading worship which she operated here on earth until last Friday, March 22, 2019.
(Pastor Clint, Pam always spoke only the best of you. She treasured
her relationship with you and her prayers and love for you stayed strong all the days of her earthly life and now beyond)
In 1998 Pam and I began together to Pastor Springs Community Baptist Church. It was through these chapters of our life that we grew our family. Pam loved sports, played softball, and soccer, but her pride and joy was being actively involved in supporting all of our children in whatever they were doing. Having so many kids we were divided often, she would go one way and I go another, but we were determined to support all of them no matter what. Pam was a very vocal and aggressive sports supporter. She would literally run up and down the field shouting instructions and coming against anyone who was not treating her children with the courtesy and respect she felt they deserved. I’m sure the kids were embarrassed from time to time, but more proud that MOM was their number one fan. Of everything that I have shared in this celebration of life story, these were the happiest memories that she would keep reliving with me. She loved and enjoyed her children! They were her passion.
As our children grew and began having kids of their own, Pam’s love for family just enlarged and became more intense. I lived with her heart on a daily basis so I know how she felt on the inside every minute of every day. Bryan, being a few years older than everyone else, blessed us with Logan, Kaelyn, and Brayden. If you see Logan, and you don’t have to be close considering he is 6’-9” try to give him a high five, if you can reach. Kaelyn and Brayden are not far behind but are still growing. These guys have always treated Pam and I with the greatest respect and made us feel special and wanted. Bryan & Julie, “Well Done”, amazing job!
Pamela and Justin blessed our lives with Orion and Enoch. Incredible little guys, that would brighten Pam’s day. Every time Pam would see a picture or watch a video she would smile. Justin and Pamela have been stationed in Hawaii (Tough Life-Not!), so we depended on social media to stay up to date. Thank you Pamela and Justin for the joy you have brought to Pam and I through your children.
BJ & Samantha had Tegan first and then Henley. Crazy, growing up under the same conditions but being so different. Teagan, a princess personality and Henley being a Tom boy. Pam loved those girls so much and cherished every opportunity to do something special with them. Could be a school grandparent’s day or a theme park visit, it was all such a treasure for her! The grandchildren had a way of changing anything Pam was feeling and cause her to experience her Happy Place.
Together, Pam and I would often lift up Stan and Kelly, the love of his life, and the children, Grayson & Streete, for God’s blessing and protection.
The last few years our daughter Kim has been blessed to have Ernest as the love of her life. He has been a blessing from God to our family. Pam and her mother loved Ernest so dearly and Pam and I constantly would praise God for bringing Ernest into our lives. We are honored to call him our son!!
Pam and I ARE blessed with the most incredible family that anyone could ever have wanted. Our children and grandchildren are our pride, joy, and legacy!!God has been incredibly good and gracious. Through the years Pam and I always had different children stay with us. One who stole our heart many years ago was Louis Ventura. Louis always thought of us as mom and dad and called us that. Stationed in South Korea I just received a call from a hurting son over his mom’s passing.
One of the greatest highlights of Pam’s life was when she became a part of the Ranch Hand Band, headed up by Allan Higginbotham. The band sang all types of Country music, secular and gospel. The irony was that Pam had never been a fan of country music, however being the talented person she was, she adapted and enjoyed herself to the place where singing with the band was truly a happy time for her. The love she had for the members of the band was what made the experience so memorable. (Brother Allen, Pam loved you dearly. Your compassionate, tender spirit, and openness to let God’s love shine through you, is your legacy. Anyone who could get Pam to Yodel in front of a crowd had to be special in her heart)
For the last seven years pam and I have been involved in a different type of work for Jesus. Our hearts were drawn more into an evangelist direction. God created a Faith Based supper club we called “Dinner and a Show”, at the Upper Room. We felt that God wanted to love people through us, to bring encouragement to the body of Christ at large, a USO show for Christians. We have every denomination stop by, oddly enough even with all the denominational differences, we worship the Lord together, and have experienced the most anointed moves of God. Hundreds have accepted Christ and rededicated their lives to the Lord through the years. Our message has always been a reminder of who we are, children of the most high God with all the rights and privileges that come with being His child.
When Pam and I had our twenty fifth wedding anniversary, Pastor Virgil honored us once again by performing the ceremony. I sang a song to Pam, these were the words:
I wonder what God was thinking, when he created you.
Wonder if He knew everything I would need
because he made all my dreams come true.
When God made you he must have been thinking about me!!!!
I will miss Pam with what’s left of my heart, but “I know that I know” that she is with her champion, savior and king and I will be with her soon, enjoying Jesus through all eternity!!!!
To GOD be the GLORY!!