Pamela Berrett Cannon

Pamela Berrett Cannon, born on June 20, 1947, in Cedar City, Utah, passed away quietly on June 27, 2025, just one week after celebrating her 78th birthday in Ogden, Utah after a long battle with heart and renal failure. Pamela led a beautiful life full of love, optimism and a lifelong passion for music and her memory will forever be cherished.

 Born to Reed and Violet Berrett of Cedar City, Utah, Pam's early years were spent developing the gift of entertainment, as her father would accompany her singing from the age of five with his organ for anyone who came to their home, including doctor visits. She loved the old standards, including Frank Sinatra, Nancy Wilson, and Etta James. Her youth was full of fun and entertaining anecdotes of being raised in a playful LDS home with her siblings Bob, Frank, Sydney, Brenda and younger brother Kent. The Berrett family suffered an early tragedy with the loss of oldest sister Sydney in a car accident when Pam was just 9 years old, and it was forever a reminder to her of the fleeting nature of life, and how all should treasure each moment together.

 Pam attended Cedar High, where she enjoyed playing first chair French horn in the band and cheerleading. After graduating in the Class of 1965, she pursued education in cosmetology and became board certified in Utah and Nevada, before marrying high school sweetheart Gail Knell and moving to Las Vegas to chase her dream of singing on the stage. For 23 years she raised four children, cut hair in homes and salons, and graced legendary stages of The Sands, The Sahara, Golden Nugget and many others on the Las Vegas Strip, where she captivated audiences with her beautiful deep, sultry voice. 

In 1989, Pam met country music legends Dottie West and Barbara Mandrell, who inspired her to boldly relocate as a single mom with her two youngest children to Nashville, Tennessee. There, she recorded an independent album under the stage name P.B. Chase, and completed a small southern radio tour, which led to her song "Pinch Me" reaching the top of the charts in Sweden. Beyond her music career, Pam also ventured into acting, voice-over work, where she was the voice of the Hoover Dam, and even owned a catering business tied to her passion for cooking called "Just Us Girls."

 Pam's vibrant life continued a new chapter after her children were grown. She was introduced to Colonel Jerald Cannon on a blind date in 1998 by her cousin and was married and relocated to North Ogden in 1999 where they led a life of adventure, entertainment and creativity. In between traveling to Peru, Australia, Thailand, Alaska, Germany and Italy with family and friends, Pam and Jerry faithfully served an LDS mission for the Salt Lake City Temple grounds and Family History Center.

 After a few short years back in Utah, Pam continued bringing joy through music once she connected with local Utah musicians including Sandy Santoro. She began singing at community events and weddings as well volunteering musical performances at retirement and nursing homes, where Jerry would be her roadie and music technician, operating all of her equipment and set list for 20 years. She hardly let anything come between those performances, even her fight with lung cancer from 2015-2019. She would simply apologize for her shortness of breath through the songs after the doctors removed 40% of her left lung and diaphragm. She was a pillar of incredible strength and endurance.

 Pam’s love of creativity didn’t stop at music. She had a unique flair for design, and with the help of her “MacGyver” husband Jerry, every home project envisioned was brought to life in their beautiful home on The Barn Golf Course. Pam made everything around her sparkle, from her home to her elaborate wardrobe and beautiful accessories.

 Pam is survived by her brother, Bob (Dixie) Gates; her four children, Kimberly (James) Christiansen, Trevor (Tonya) Knell, Brayden (Laurel) Knell, and Brittney (Travis) Carrell; and stepchildren, David (Tina) Cannon, Terilyn (Ed) Rollins, Christopher Cannon. She also leaves behind 20 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Colonel Jerald Cannon; her sisters Sydney and Brenda, her brothers Frank and Kent and her parents. 

Pam will be remembered as a fun-loving, happy person who always wore a smile and boldly faced every challenge in life with positive thinking. She touched the lives of everyone around her, leaving behind a legacy of light and love. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

 The family would like to thank all of her care teams from McKay Dee Hospital and Mount Ogden Health and Rehabilitation for their loving care. Also thank you to all of Pam’s friends and companions who spent so much time with her through the last few months. Her spirits were constantly lifted.

 A celebration of Pam's life will be held at a later date in the fall and will be posted on this memorial website in the near future. Family and friends will be invited to share their memories and honor her remarkable journey.