Pamela Hodgman Laird

PAMELA H. LAIRD
FRANKLIN – Pamela Hodgman Laird, age 79, formerly of Norfolk, passed away on June 11, 2025 at Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond, VA.
Pam was predeceased by her parents, Robert Emery Laird, Margaret Hodgman Laird, and her husband James Panton. She is survived by her sister Virginia Laird Cutchin (Ashburn), of Courtland, VA, dearest cousin Florence Hodgman Tugwell (Robert), of Manteo, NC; her beloved aunt Nancy Hardiman Hodgman, two nieces, Catherine Cutchin Gornto (Bruce) and Elizabeth Cutchin Weaver (Earl). Other survivors include several dear cousins, and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Pam was a graduate of Granby High school and Old Dominion University. She made her debut at The Norfolk German Club, was a sustaining member of The Junior League of Norfolk, a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Franklin, and The Garden Club of Virginia. She worked as a freight forwarder for several shipping companies, and with her friendly, cheerful voice, she made many friends while making reservations for companies who shipped containers from Port Norfolk to ports around the world. She loved to travel, took many road trips and several cruises, but her favorite trip was to London on the Q. E. II. Another highlight was reaching 127 MPH while driving solo on the NASCAR track at Walt Disney World.
Everyone knows that she loved animals; she would even stop along the road to move a turtle to safety. Pam also loved horses, owned several, and she enjoyed riding many trails in Suffolk and Southampton County. Over the years each dog that owned her was her favorite, but little Ravlin topped the list.
A memorial service will be held at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, VA at 4:00 p.m. Monday June 23, 2025. Family and friends will gather for a visitation at 3:00 P.M. in the Parish Hall at Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 400 North High Street, adjacent to Wright Funeral Home. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk, VA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, PO Box 146, Franklin, VA 23851, or your favorite charity.