Pamela "PJ" Jeanette Lechler

Pamela Jeanette Lechler was born on October 23, 1970, in Dayton, Texas, to JP and Barbara Thornton. To everyone who loved her, she was simply "PJ."

PJ had a heart bigger than Texas and a love for her children that truly knew no bounds. She was fiercely proud of her three kids, and through every season of life—childhood, adulthood, and everything in between—she never stopped showing up for them with her whole heart.

She was a lifelong learner and a passionate educator. PJ earned her teaching degree from Sam Houston State University, her master’s from Stephen F. Austin, and her superintendent certification from Texas Tech. Over the course of her 30-year career in education, she served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and eventually, superintendent. She believed every student could learn, every teacher could grow, and every school could thrive—and she dedicated her life to making that belief a reality.

Outside of work, PJ’s joy was found in the little moments: cooking up huge family meals, especially her famous Thanksgiving dressing, decorating for the holidays, and sitting around the table playing games with the people she loved most. She loved to travel and made it a point to take her grandchildren on adventures, cheering them on at every game, recital, or school event. There was no prouder Gigi.

In her younger years, PJ was an avid barrel racer with a deep love for horses—a love that never left her. And when it came to family, her love was fierce and unwavering. She adored her husband Dale and treasured their life together. Her laugh was loud, her support was constant, and her pride in her children and grandchildren was always front and center.

PJ is survived by her loving husband, Dale Lechler; her mother, Barbara Tolbert; her son, Brent Holifield, and his wife Haley; her daughters, JackO’Lynn Page and her husband Dan, and Madlynn Morris. She was the cherished Gigi of Brycen Holifield, Tenley Holifield, Allyson Holifield, Rock Page, Forrest Page, Jae’lyn Gilbert, Jolee Overstreet, Easton Ross, and Tripp Overstreet.

She is also survived by her sisters, Angela Thornton Richards and Rebecca Thornton Barber; her Uncle Peewee Garland and Aunt Pam Garland; along with numerous nieces, cousins, extended family members, and a host of friends who became family.

PJ was preceded in death by her grandparents, Buck and Lois Garland; grandmother Verna Ocie Ward; grandfather James Jackson Thornton; father JP Thornton; and stepfather Michael Tolbert.

To know PJ was to be loved deeply. Her legacy is one of unwavering love, bold laughter, passionate belief in others, and a life fully and beautifully lived.

We will gather to celebrate the life of our beloved PJ on Friday, September 12, 2025, at the Pace-Stancil Chapel in Cleveland. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM, with her service following at 2:00 PM.