Gone to Soon

One of Bastrop LA's biggest champions has made her way home. Pamela Reese Benton has been a trailblazer and motivator all of her life. She was one of six siblings born to Minnie C. Reese, her 90-year-old mother. She was one of the first African-American cheerleaders at Bastrop High School. She was named "Who's Who Among American High School Students" and participated in the 1983 Aloha Bowl as a National Cheerleader in Honolulu, Hawaii. Pamela had the privilege of being a member of the Mu Sigma Honor Society. She was a member of the Bastrop High School graduating class of 1984 and went on to continued her education at Louisiana Tech University with honors. After attending Louisiana Tech, she completed her Master's plus 30 in education from ULM. Pamela was a proud teacher, librarian, and cheer coach to many students for over 20 years in the Morehouse Parish School System. She loved her Delta Mustangs and Bastrop Rams. Her love for cheerleading led her to start the Eastern Morehouse Cheerleaders, her own cheerleading squad, under the umbrella of her beloved brand, Choices Unlimited Inc. Many other community programs and events were created in association with Choices Unlimited Inc. The activities she was most proud of were her summer enrichment camps which served K-high school students with preparatory skills in areas students normally would never be exposed. Her other love was her church, New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a lifelong member, serving as a youth leader, choir member, and deaconess.

Pamela was a member of Zeta Phi Beta. She had so many community accomplishments. Her most significant accomplishments were being a wife, mother, g-mom, aunt-TT to many. All of Pamela's accomplishments were fueled by the love of family. These important people gave motivation and drive to get up daily. Aside from work and family, many will remember her as a diehard New Orleans Saints fan. She went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, August 17, 2021. Funeral services were incomplete at press time.