On February 18, 2026, Pamela Jean Mason Shanholtz was called home by her Heavenly Father for her final adventure. While we are saddened by her leaving us behind, we are certain she is singing praises on the shores of Heaven's fishing ponds. Pam's adventure started November 25, 1952 in Fairmont, West Virginia with her beloved parents, Gilbert Bates and Nedra Lucille Mason, now deceased.

She grew up in Worthington, West Virginia and graduated from Monongah High School. She continued her education at Fairmont State College and through the years, earned a Master's degree in Medial Administration. She was a microbiologist and worked in the Bacteriology Department at United Hospital Center for more than 40 years. She served on the Town Council of Worthington and was a member of Monongah Baptist Church. She led a Single Ladies Fellowship Group, was a Children's and Adult's Choir, and was a Sunday School Teacher. Pam loved her fishing adventures with her dear friend, Shelby McIntire. They didn't catch much, but a golden friendship was formed. Pam was always ready to help a friend. When Pam wanted to help, she would always say that money was like manure; it needed to be spread around. For many years, she helped numerous people, never wanting others to know. Whenever there was a bad situation, she would remind everyone to "look on the doughnut and not on the hole."

She touched lives through kindness and laughter. She loved old movies, especially musicals and murder mysteries. She took great joy in telling stories that got bigger and better with each telling. She loved oil painting and shared her masterpieces with many friends and family. She tried to make a big adventure out of the smallest task. The greatest joy in her final years was working for Literacy Volunteers of Marion County where she was a tutor and the President of the Board of Directors.

Left to share her memories and celebrate her life is her much beloved family: her sister, Patricia Sue Wells of Shinnston, her four nieces, Diana (Keith) Arthur of Fairview, WV, Wendy Ellen Wells of Shinnston, Karolyn Kilpatrick of Pfafftown, NC; Sharon (Mark) of Brigeport, WV; and her great nieces and nephews, Caitlin Belcher and Quin Tucker of Newport News, VA, Cameron (Charis) Belcher of San Angelo, TX, Ethan Kilpatrick of Pfafftown, NC, and Christina (Haley) Belcher of Bridgeport, WV. She will also be greatly missed by her Baby Girl, Millie Joy.

In lieu of flowers, Pam would be excited to know you donated to Literacy Volunteers of Marion County, 205 10th Street in Fairmont, WV 26554 or please do something unexpected and kind for someone else today as Pam would have done. Pam would say don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Avenue in Fairmont, on Monday, February 23, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The body will lie in state at the Monongah Baptist Church on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The service will be at Monongah Baptist Church on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Tyler Jefferis officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com.