Pam Morris-Walton is a walking miracle. She is a kind-hearted individual and a loving wife to Rev. Frank Walton; they have been married for 10 years. Pam is known for her sense of humor and wonderfully quirky personality, which often surprises those around her. Originally from Charleston, West Virginia, she was raised in St. Albans, West Virginia.
Pam was first inspired to pursue a career in radio by her late Aunt, Bishop Mabel E. Page. Aunty Mabel pastored the Apostolic Free Church of God for 60 years, located on the hill in St. Alban’s, West Virginia.
“I was admiring somebody and she said to me, you can do what they are doing better. She encouraged me.”
Pam began her broadcasting career over 50 years ago at KJLH radio station, owned by musical legend Stevie Wonder. Furthermore, when Pam relocated to the Windy City she became a radio personality at WVON-AM in Chicago, inspiring audiences with her show “Gospel with Pam Morris.” Her talents shone at WWHN 1510-AM and WGCI-AM, and for seven uplifting years, she hosted “The Inspirational Gospel Stroll” on WVAZ-FM.
In 1989, Morris was appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley as an event coordinator for the City of Chicago. He took on the role of head producer for the Chicago Gospel Music Festival. She also envisioned and coordinated Mayor Daley’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Breakfast, celebrating unity and hope.
Beyond Chicago, Pam worked as an international Gospel consultant for renowned events like The Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy; The Gospel and Soul Easter Festival in Terni, Italy; and The Tree of Life Gospel Event in Durban, South Africa. She consulted for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. She served as the lead ambassador for the American Heart Association’s Most Powerful Voices Gospel Tour, making a meaningful impact through her efforts.
In 2009, Pam retired as the event coordinator for the City of Chicago and founded the nonprofit organization P. Morris & Associates, continuing to uplift and inspire those around her.
According to Pam, Aunt Mabel said, she was a future leader and encouraged her to use her voice and talents to change the world. Aunt Mabel taught her to be powerful, to chase every dream, and not to be afraid. She also advised her to always stand up for what is right.
“She passed away at the age of 91. She encouraged me to listen to the truth within myself and always to represent our family. Although, I live in Chicago, Charleston, West Virginia is my heritage.”
In addition, Pam is a Bible believer, and her Aunt Mabel had a profound influence on many individuals in West Virginia. However, Bishop TD Jakes has referred to Aunt Mabel in a few sermons because he used to preach at her church. Like Bobby Womack, he hails from West Virginia. Bobby’s family members attended Aunt Mabel’s Church.
Staying in the radio booth is Pam’s biggest life joy.
In her opinion, it is done to benefit everyone. Whatever your gift is, use it to help others.
Pam’s health journey started in July and reached a powerful conclusion on September 22nd, as she moved from advanced congestive heart failure to a heart transplant. Her inpatient recovery lasted 57 days, and God has blessed her with the gift of life to share her story. This inspired her to write my book, titled “57 Days.”
“I have a second chance, not to take life for granted. Because my heart is at this moment, eight years and three months old. I have someone else’s heart. In 2016, I could have been dead, but by the grace of God, I am still standing. I never lost my faith! I’m a walking miracle. Now, let me share something with you: someone dies every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease. Yet here I am, still breathing after being blessed to receive someone’s heart over eight years ago. I want you to hear me — I am still alive.”
Aunt Mabel taught Pam how to drive and cook, and she also instilled in her the values of compassion, courage, thoughtfulness, and wit. Pam’s first book is titled “Lessons Learned From Aunt Mabel and So Much More.” Although Pam had a mother, her Aunt Mabel’s father adopted and raised her. Pam’s mother’s name was Paskalena Paige.
Pam’s second book was published by Christian Faith Publishing. She submitted her manuscript to four publishing companies on the same day, even though she had been advised against doing so for fear that someone else might take her story. However, Pam believed that no one could tell her story quite like she could. She thought, “If they read my manuscript, especially the first verse, they’ll want to hear my story.” Within 72 hours, all four publishing companies responded, and ultimately, she chose Christian Faith Publishing.
“I needed a new heart—not a stent or a pacemaker, but a heart. Without it, I wasn’t going to survive. I had no idea where my new heart would come from or when it would arrive. I had traveled all over the world as a gospel artist, radio host, wife, mother, and friend. Yet, amidst my busy life, the greatest battle I faced was the search for a new heart to replace the failing one in my body. At that time, I no longer had control over my life.” This is the first paragraph from my book, “57 Days,” available on Amazon.
Pam shared that if she weren’t working in radio, she would likely be traveling around the world as an evangelist.
“I would be doing the same thing, and let me explain why. I have the opportunity to reach hundreds of thousands of people worldwide with a program designed to inspire, uplift, and encourage individuals, no matter what they might be going through—whether it’s joy, sadness, illness, or even death. I am grateful for the opportunity I have at WVON Radio.”
