In the world of Pamela Pullman, a little bit of chocolate could make almost anything better. The teacher-turned-chocolatier sold her sweet treats across metro Atlanta for more than 30 years.
"She started in our kitchen, making chocolate for the teachers she worked with," said Larry Pullman, her husband of 47 years. "And it was so good they said she should sell it."
Mrs. Pullman started small, selling out of an already established boutique in Dunwoody in the late-'70s. By the time she retired in 2008, she'd operated stores at Lenox Square, Perimeter Mall and Peachtree Center, her husband said.
"In her chocolate years, she could have cared less if people bought anything," he said. "But she wanted to be able to share her counsel with her customers and make lifelong friends."
Pamela Sue Epstein Pullman, of Woodstock, died Saturday at home from complications of cancer. She was 68. A memorial service was held Tuesday at the couple's home. Dressler's Jewish Funeral Care was in charge of arrangements.
A native of Detroit, Mich., Mrs. Pullman earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Wayne State University, to fulfill her dream of working with children. She taught in Detroit until her husband got transferred to the Atlanta area. Once here, she taught for a couple of years before leaving the classroom and going to the chocolate business full time.
The Pullmans met in August 1965 and were married four months later, and were looking forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in 2015. But when Mrs. Pullman realized her health would not allow her to reach that milestone, she turned the calendar forward.
"We were celebrating this year as our 50th," Mr. Pullman said. "She always wanted to renew our vows on our 50th, so we did it this year in Vegas."
In June, six months before their 47th wedding anniversary, The Pullmans and their closest relatives and friends packed into the Viva Las Vegas Chapel and enjoyed an Elvis-styled ceremony.
"Those were the best four or five days of our lives," Mr. Pullman said. "We got to enjoy that experience with our children and our closest and dearest friends, none of whom were at our wedding."
Mrs. Pullman was known by friends and family as a go-getter, who did everything 100 percent.
"She didn't waste a minute of her life," said son Jamie Pullman, who lives in San Diego. "She did everything she wanted to do and took care of everyone in the process."
One of Mrs. Pullman's last tasks was to make sure her beloved husband would be OK once she was gone, he said. She convinced Mr. Pullman to buy a home in a 55+ community in Florida, where he would always have company and activities.
"She had two reasons for this," he said. "One, she said it was because the community was like camp for adults, and I'd always have people around and things to do. But the other reason was because if I ever met a lady and became interested, she'd have to be over 55," he added, breaking into raucous laughter with his children.
In addition to her husband and son, Mrs. Pullman is also survived by her daughters, Kelley Pullman of Mill Valley, Calif., Kim Pullman of San Diego, Calif.; a second son, Jason Pullman of Atlanta; and one grandson.
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