Alma Louise Pavon

Alma Louise Pavon, died unexpectedly at home July 31, 2021. Louise and Bernie lived most of their lives in Hampton, Virginia, where they bought their present home that became the family homestead. Early in their marriage the young couple lived in several magical and beautiful places in some of the Western States, such as Parachute, Colorado, Cheyenne, Wyoming and Salt Lake City, Utah. Their travel was work related since Bernie was a welder by trade and worked construction in order to provide for his seven children. Louise’s mom was killed in a car accident when she was only nine years old. She and her three siblings lived in an orphanage in North Carolina until they were adopted by their maternal grandparents, Charlie and Stella Nichols. Louise had so many old and interesting childhood stories about working on the family tobacco farm. She had lived on the fringe of the real old South. She left that farm to go to New York City. Her life really began when she met Bernie, the love of her life at the Rainbow Room in New York City where she worked. She was a true Southern Lady, always polite and mannered, yet firm. She never lost that charming southern accent. Louise loved her family more than anything. She loved being a mom and a housewife and did occasional restaurant work. She was in a car accident and did substantial damage to one of her ankles but managed to continue her restaurant work despite the shattered ankle. After the injury forced her to stop work she took in childcare and did babysitting. She was a positive force in many of these children’s’ lives. Some of them have stayed in touch with her, 40 years later. What an impression she must have made. Louise loved plants and gardening. She loved the ocean and the feel of the sun on her skin. The year of COVID was particularly difficult because it isolated her from her family. The last few years were particularly challenging because of the COPD which she was living with and managing as best as possible. Louise loved Facebook as a way of staying in touch with friends and family. She was the matriarch of a large and loving family. She was an important part of the daily lives of many people. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Bernard Pavon and her seven children, Jenny, Kathrine, Elizabeth, Alta Louise, Frank, Solomon and Summer. She is also survived by nineteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. She is survived by her brothers, David and Richard Overman; a sister, Betsy Greene. She will be sadly missed by her huge loving family and many friends. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday August 6, 2021 at the Chapel Mausoleum in Parklawn Memorial Park, 2551 N. Armistead Ave, Hampton, VA 23666. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Please visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and offer condolences.