Family, friends dedicate bench in memory of former Buckaroo cheerleaders Pamela Pardue Midkiff and Kimberly Pardue
By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
On Tuesday, Feb. 22, a small crowd gathered in front of L.T. Cook Gym to dedicate a bench in memory of two former Breckenridge High School cheerleaders, Pamela Pardue Midkiff, Class of 1976, and Kimberly Pardue, Class of 1983.
The bench was placed on the BHS campus by their mother, Lois Pardue Smalley, and blessed by Father Donald Sackett with St. Andrew’s Anglican Church. Among those attending the event were some of Pamela and Kimberley’s family members and former cheerleading teams.
“This gathering today is to dedicate and bless this memorial bench in my girls’ honor,” Smalley said. “It is mine and my family’s gift to the school they loved.”
Kimberly Pardue died in a plane crash in November 1984 at the age of 19. Pamela Pardue Midkiff passed away in February 2019.
“What better memorial than to have a park bench, a place of rest and refreshment?” Fr. Sackett said. “So with the memorial plaque, of course, we will pray for the departed who are asleep in Christ. And then, of course, we will bless the bench, that all who take rest or refuge here may be reminded of the Lord.”
Lois Pardue Smalley speaks to the crowd gathered for the dedication ceremony for a memorial bench in memory of her daughters Pamela Pardue Midkiff and Kimberly Pardue. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Lois Pardue Smalley, second from left, poses for a picture with family members who attended the dedication ceremony for the bench in front of L.T. Cook Gym. Pictured, from left, are Jeff Pardue, Lois Pardue Smalley, Allison Pardue, Serena, Lara Bradford Townson and Chad Townson. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Lois Pardue Smalley, left, poses with some of the former cheerleaders who went to school with her daughter Pamela Pardue Midkiff. Pictured, from left, are Lois Pardue Smalley, Cindy Woodward, Cassie Griffith and Trissie Dempsey. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Lois Pardue Smalley, left, poses with some of the former cheerleaders who cheered with her daughter Kimberly Pardue. Pictured, from left, are Lois Pardue Smalley, Lori Riggins Veltman, Tonya Willingham, Carolyn Moore, and Serena Sumners Sullivan. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Cutline, top photo: Lois Pardue Smalley welcomes guests to the dedication ceremony for the bench she had installed in front of L.T. Cook Gym in memory of her daughters Pamela Pardue Midkiff and Kimberly Midkiff. Father Donald Sackett with St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, seated at left, blessed the bench. Click here to see a photo gallery from the event. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
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