Pamela Tilford

On June 30, 1949, in Kansas City, Kansas, Pamela Renee Clark-Tilford, or affectionately known as "PT," was born to Pleire Alfonso Clark and Dorothy Marie Kemp-Clark.  Pamela was the oldest of three daughters.  She was preceded in death by her father, Pleire Alfonso Clark.

Pamela attended Greenwood Elementary, Central Junior High, and graduated from Central High School in 1967.  Pamela attended the University of Denver where she was one of the original charter members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. undergraduate chapter.  Pamela graduated from the University of Denver in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Pamela was successful in her chosen fields of pursuit.  Her early work involved assisting children as a social worker with the State of Missouri Department of Family Services and traveling domestically and internationally as a flight attendant for Trans World Airlines.  Pamela had a successful career in the insurance industry initially investigating insurance claims and ascertaining the extent of liability.  Ultimately,  Pamela advanced to managing a regional office of a major insurance carrier to ensure the proper disposition of all claims that her office handled.  Later in life, Pamela found a second career in human resources retiring from the Kansas City Public Schools in 2016 as an employee services generalist. 

Outside of work, Pamela had a love of African art and interior design.  She was an extraordinary cook, had a keen sense of style, and exuded confidence in everything that she pursued.  She enjoyed reading and spending time with her family in California - where she lived for 36 years and had become a Californian.  She was a perfectionist but appreciated the beauty in imperfection.  Pamela was a role model and source of inspiration to the many people that knew her.  She put the needs of others before her own and for this the world is a better place.

From the union of Pamela and Richard Cromwell Tilford two sons were born - Rahsaan Jamal Tilford and Keir Doron Tilford.  Pamela was also a step-mother to Richard Todd Tilford and Christopher Scott Tilford and grandmother to Julian Gaines, Keira Candace Miracle-Tilford, and Maci Renee Miracle-Tilford.  Raising Rahsaan and Keir on her own was not easy; but, Pamela worked tirelessly to support her family to ensure that her boys had the skills and opportunities to succeed.  The greatest loves of her life were her children and grandchildren. 

The legacy of Pamela lives on in the many lives that she has touched.  Rahsaan inherits her calm demeanor, her introspection, and her ability to appreciate the beauty in simple things.  Keir inherits her candor, her devotion to family, and her sense of loyalty.  Julian inherits her independence, Keira inherits her confidence, and Maci inherits her big heart.  Pamela has gone home but her mark on this world is everlasting.

Pamela is survived by her mother Dorothy Marie Kemp-Clark of Kansas City, Missouri; her sister Carole Annette Cathey of Lee's Summit, Missouri; her sister Trina Faye Allen of Kansas City, Missouri; her step-son Richard Todd Tilford of Kansas City, Missouri; her step-son Christopher Scott Tilford of Kansas City, Missouri; her son Rahsaan Jamal Tilford of Palm Desert, California; her son Keir Doron Tilford of Riverside, California; her daughter-in-law Heather Miracle of Riverside, California; her grandson Julian Gaines of Atlanta, Georgia; her granddaughter Keira Candace Miracle-Tilford of Riverside, California; her granddaughter Maci Renee Miracle-Tilford of Riverside, California; her nephew Mahlon Cathey of Lee's Summit, Missouri; her nephew Mikhail Wheeler of Trenton, Missouri; her nephew Toussaint Tindal of Kansas City, Missouri; and her nephew Taurean Tindal of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Funeral Services will be held at 11am on Friday, February 19th at Watkins Heritage Chapel 4000 Emanuel Cleaver Blvd KCMO 64130. Interment Mt. Moriah Cemetery.

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