Evangelist Missionary Dr. Pamela Cherise Lee-Frison

Evangelist-Missionary Dr. Pamela Cherise Lee-Frison was born on January 20, 1968, in Carbondale, Illinois, to Elder Walter Henry Lee and Evangelist Dorothy Mae Brown Woods-Lee. At birth, Pamela was a testament to the miraculous power of prayer. Born with a rare genetic disorder, she was never expected to do half of what she accomplished. Pastor Walter and Mother Dorothy carried pre-mature Pamela to church in a dresser drawer and had shut-in services interceding for their newborn baby girl, starting her lifelong journey of trusting in God’s wonder-working power and defying the impossible. As the sixth out of seven siblings, Pamela was very active in her local church and community. Pamela was a proud, second-generation member of the Church of God In Christ starting at Gillespie Temple Church of God in Christ in Carbondale, Illinois, and under the leadership of her father at Anderson Memorial Church of God in Christ in Peoria, Illinois, and True Church of God in Christ in Mounds, Illinois. She was an active participant in the activities and programs of her parents’ local church, district church activities as well as jurisdictional programs. Pamela went on to be a stellar student with an insatiable appetite for learning.

She was a product of the Peoria School District Unit 150 of Peoria, Illinois, (Grades K-1) and the Meridian School District Unit 101 in Mounds, Illinois. (Grades 2-12). At Meridian High School, Pamela was one of 6 students in the Educational Program for Academically Gifted Students and participated in several clubs, activities, and organizations including: the National Beta Club, Chorus, English Club, Girls Scouts, Lettermen’s Club, Math Club, Pep Club, Video Club, Creative Writing Club, Student Council President, Class Officers, Marching Band as First Chair Clarinet, Jazz Band, and Operation Snowball. She was awarded for her commitment to high scholastic achievement continued throughout life and up until her untimely departure.

Upon graduation from Meridian High School, Pamela received a full-ride scholarship for Florida A&M University, a 90% scholarship to Oral Roberts University, and over $40,000 in other scholarships, but decided to enter the U.S. Navy as an Officer. While in the Navy, Pamela was stationed at Mare Island Naval Shipyard Base in Vallejo, California until the time of her return to civilian life in 1990. This decision to enter the military would later lead her to meet her future husband. She later earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Corrections and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from California State University, Hayward both in 1997; a Master of Public Administration from California State University, East Bay College of Business & Economics in 2013; a Master of Clinical Counseling from Sacramento Theological Seminary and Bible College; and lastly, a Doctor of Philosophy in Pastoral Studies and Counseling from California Baptist University, Summa Cum Laude in 2018. Dr. Pamela started her professional career with Alameda County as a Group Counselor before being promoted to Probation Officer. Pamela started working with adults and was later assigned to the Juvenile Division. Pamela retired from Alameda County Juvenile Probation Department as a Juvenile Probation Officer III after twenty-two years of service. Pamela was proud of the numerous lives she touched and helped to change throughout her time with Alameda County. Dr. Pamela’s insatiable desire to constantly serve her community did not stop after retirement.

Dr. Pamela started a second career as an Investment Professional with New York Life. Dr. Pamela had a goal of empowering women and business owners through financial literacy and asset protection. You may have seen her Facebook post about her weekend “Virtual Cup of Coffee and Conversation” Zoom talks focusing on financial planning. Dr. Pamela completed several securities licenses and was licensed in several states. She completed her lifelong goal of becoming an author with her Amazon #1 Best Seller “Financial Justice: For Today, Your Tomorrow, Your Future, and Beyond.” Recently, Dr. Pamela was also in the process of receiving her certification in Cyber Security while living in Houston, Texas.

As Pamela began establishing her Vallejo roots, she built a vast network of family friends, which she endearingly called “framily.” Pamela later married her husband Shawn and gave birth to twin daughters Aleah and Alicia. Pamela would be a Vallejo resident for thirty-six years. Her first church in California was Antioch Church of God In Christ under the leadership of Elder Freddie and First Lady Addie Miller, who became Pamela’s surrogate parents and godparents to her twin daughters. Pamela was an active worker in the Church of God in Christ on every level. Despite her many roles and positions, she was affectionately known by all as “Sister Pam.” Sister Pam’s ministry in California started as Choir Director for the Sunshine Band at Antioch Church of God in Christ. In 2003, Sis. Pam became a member of the Ennis Chapel Church of God in Christ where she served as President of Shepherd’s Care, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and Executive Board Member of the Women’s Department. At the state level, Sis. Pam served as the Northern California First Jurisdiction Youth Chairlady and Northern California First Jurisdiction Young Women’s Christian Counsel. Internationally, Sis. Pam served the International Youth Department of the Church of God in Christ as Assistant Regional International Youth Department Chairlady and Director of Religious Education for the Western Region. Sis. Pam also served the Agape Love Ministries as Director of Community Outreach and Assistant Pastor.

After thirty years of service in law enforcement and as a Veteran of the US Navy, Pamela established “To Protect and Serve” as her personal mission. Service was at the core of her being. Outside of her extensive community involvement with her church homes, Pamela was active in the lives of her many youth babies. Post-retirement, Pamela was inducted into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, following in the footsteps of her mother, aunts, and sister, continuing the legacy with her two daughters. Pamela had a heart of service and a heart for God’s people. She would often say, “My life is a service,” referring to her commitment to improving the lives of every person she interacted with, whether through law enforcement, financial empowerment, or community service with her local organizations. Her service involvements included the African American Market Union, Grief Sensitive Schools Initiative, Chair of Parent Engagement at Bishop O’Dowd High School, Fund Raising Volunteer with the Salvation Army, co-founder and co-host of the Overflowing Joy KGM1 Radio Show, and many grass-root efforts to drive the Black vote.

Dr. Pamela was especially proud of the achievements of her daughters Aleah and Alicia. Aleah and Alicia both completed their undergraduate degrees at the University of California, Los Angeles. Both Aleah and Alicia have followed in their mother’s footsteps through their commitments to service to all mankind. Alicia obtained her Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law in 2020. Alicia practiced as a Criminal Defense Attorney in New Orleans, LA. In 2022, Alicia was awarded “Top 40 Under 40 Black Lawyers” for her high success record defending the indignant and underrepresented population. Aleah is currently working in Clinical Research exploring novel cancer pharmaceutical treatments. Aleah will also be starting medical school at the University of Houston College of Medicine later this year with aspirations of being a Breast Cancer Reconstructive Surgeon. Dr. Pamela was extremely proud of her girls’ pursuit of higher education and their commitment to making the world their platform. Aleah and Alicia are grateful for the guidance, sacrifice, and support of their beautiful mother and hope to carry on her legacy. She stated that she was “Mama eagle raising eagles.”

Dr. Pamela Cherise Lee-Frison departed peacefully in her sleep on May 8, 2023. She is preceded in death by her mother Missionary Dorothy Brown Woods-Lee, father Elder Walter Lee, maternal grandparents Homer and Mary Brown, paternal grandparents Marshall and Sarah Lee, brother Michael Woods, nephew Melvin Gregory Lee; and a host of paternal and maternal aunts and uncles.

Pamela leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 30 years, Shawn Frison, twin daughters Aleah Cherise Frison and Alicia Denise (Anon) Frison Cage, and bonus son Talton Frison; mother-in-law Jessie Frison; sister Linda Woods Roberson; brothers Wesley Woods, Rodney (Tonya) Woods, and Paul (Alicia) Lee; a host of nieces and nephews; and not withstanding numerous relatives, friends, and colleagues.