Griffin Speaks

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Famed International Makeup Artist and Trainer for Fashion Fair Cosmetics Pamela Mack succumbed to breast cancer on Monday, January 22, 2007. Pam as family and friends affectionately called her was one of the most extraordinary people that I ever met. Pam was also a close college friend of my wife, Debra. Pam honored us by serving as a bridesmaid in our wedding twenty years ago. When we learned that Pam had passed we were very sad. Everyone who loved her had prayed for her recovery.  

Pam was a world traveler. She was an artist. Among her celebrity clients were Linda Johnson-Rice, President and CEO of Johnson Publishing Company. Pam, a graduate of the University of Alabama received a communications degree. Pam was an Account Coordinator for Fashion Fair Cosmetics. Mr. J. Lance Clark, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Fashion fair Cosmetics attended Pam’s celebration of life and paid a moving tribute to her on behalf of the company. She received extensive cosmetic training and awards for her extraordinary work and artistry. Pam was a major player in the industry for over fifteen years. She used her professional skills as a makeup artist around the world. She instructed beauty consultants though out the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. 

In 1997, Pam was the makeup artist for Ebony-South Africa’s cover and feature story on South African celebrity, Mrs. Felecia Mabuza-Suttie. Pam made numerous television appearances demonstrating her skills as a makeup artist. She was a great promoter of Fashion Fair Cosmetics. Pam was featured at several of London’s most prestigious department stores. 

Pam was laid to rest on Saturday, January 27, 2007 in one of the most beautiful celebrations of life that I have ever attended. Pam Mack leaves to mourn her passing, many who will cherish her memories, her fifteen month old son, Christian Armand Franklin, Parents, Charles Mack, and Sara Ann Powell, special uncle Andrew Lee Newton, aunts, Estella Newton and Lee Ann Brantley, Carol Rias Sallie Carter; two devoted uncles: Clarence A. Powell, Professor Preston Powell and a host of other family members and dear friends. 

To know Pam was to love her. If you met her once you remembered her for life. She had such a wonderful spirit. Rev. Darryl Moore delivered one of the most beautiful eulogies that I had ever heard. He comforted us by telling us that we had not lost Pam. He said, “the only time an individual is lost is when you don’t know where they are.” He went on to say that there are some things in life that you can not bury. “You can not bury the memories of Pam.” She was beautiful, smart and a gift sent to the world by God! Pam reinforces the belief that the “good die young!” Debra and I grieve the lost of Pam, but we also rejoice in knowing that Pam Mack is in the hands of God. She passed away at the young age of forty-two, but who are we to question God.  

We all were serenaded at the close of the celebration by a Whitney Houston song. A song that Pam chose for us all to hear: “I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU”  

If I should stay I would only be in your way, so I’ll go but know I’ll think of you every step of the way. And I will always love you, will always love you, you my darling you. Bitter sweet memories that I am taking with me. So goodbye, please don’t cry. We both know, I’m not what, you need. And I will always love you. I hope life treats you kind. And I hope you have all you dreamed of and I wish you joy and happiness. But above all I wish you love. And I will always love you. I will always love you.