Pamela Lee Turnbull

Pamela Lee Turnbull, 70, of Muskogee, Oklahoma passed away on January 20, 2025 after a year-long, courageous battle with lymphoma. Pam was born on September 14, 1954 in Palo Alto, California to Bill and Joy (Brindle) Youngs. They moved from California to Idaho when Pam was a little girl, and she graduated from Meridian High School in 1972. She attended the University of Idaho to study music education and also met her husband John there. The two were married on November 1, 1975 in Star, Idaho and welcomed their three children Jace, Becca, and Miley. They moved to Oklahoma in 1984, and shortly thereafter Pam began teaching elementary music and had an incredible 30+ year career at Pershing Elementary and Sadler Arts Academy. She touched the lives of thousands of students and was given an Oklahoma Elementary Music Educator of the Year award. Pam was an avid gardener, spending more than ten years as a certified Master Gardener. For the last twenty years, she and John transformed their backyard into a beautiful haven, always willing to share it with family, friends, and neighbors. Her work was featured in Oklahoma Gardener magazine and an episode of OETA’s Oklahoma Gardening. Those who had the privilege of spending time in her garden know the haven it was, a place of true peace and beauty matched only by her gift of hospitality. Pam was a member of Boulevard Christian Church for more than 40 years, serving faithfully in the Celebrate Recovery program leading step groups, hosting many discipleship groups and Sunday School classes, and greeting at the front door with a warm smile and big hug. Her intimate relationship with the Lord empowered her to reach others with the Gospel and its beautifully redemptive story. Pam’s favorite title of all was “Grammy.” She cherished her nine grandchildren and loved being in the stands or audience for all of their sports and activities. Many a summer was spent at “Camp Grammy” with the grands helping work in her garden, cooking and baking in the kitchen, crafting, playing Minute-to-Win-It games, camping, kayaking, swimming, and more. She prayed daily for these nine and always made sure they knew just how much she loved and cherished them. Pam’s legacy of love, truth, joy, and generosity will live on in the hearts of those who had the distinct privilege of knowing her. Pam is survived by her husband John Turnbull; sister, Gwen Colberg of Star, Idaho; son, Jace (Liz) Turnbull of Union, Kentucky (Parker, Addison, Vance); daughter, Becca (Jason) Van Valkenburg of Owasso, Oklahoma (Emerson, Jax, Hayden), and daughter, Miley (Eric) Potter of Metamora, Illinois (Avery, Hudson, Saige). She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill & Joy Youngs; her brother, Will Youngs and brother-in-law, Cal Colberg. A family conducted celebration of Pam’s life will be held at 2pm on Saturday, February 8 at Boulevard Christian Church in Muskogee.

Pamela Lee Turnbull

September 14, 1954 - January 20, 2025