OBITUARY Mary Elam March 24, 1919 – November 16, 2018 Mary was born on March 24, 1919 as the youngest child of the late Amos Edd Sain and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Boggs Sain in Belwood, NC. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, William A. (Bill) Elam, brothers; John and Russell Sain, and sisters; Janet Hicks and Mae Falls. She is survived by her daughter, Melba Tiffany and husband Harvey of the home, her sons; Joel Elam and wife Betty (Stringer) of Birmingham, AL, and Nelson (Nick) Elam and wife Sharon (Stanback) of Stanley, NC, her grandchildren; Carmen Drumm and husband Jerry of Mt.
Holly, Christie Kelley and husband Rob of Charlotte, NC, Cary Elam and wife Gen of Chelsea, AL, Brittany Standridge and husband Jesse of Chelsea, AL, Michelle Ormaza and husband Michael of Brentwood, TN, and Brian Elam and wife Liz of Raleigh, NC, her great-grand children; Adam Drumm, Blake Drumm and fiance Allie Goldey, Trey and Anna Kelley, Sierra Thompson, Evan Elam, Marleigh Standridge, Caleb, Jacob, and Issac Ormaza, and Reed Elam, and her great-great-granddaughter, Arianna Rose Drumm. Mary was known growing up to family and friends as Mary Lizzie. She grew up in St. Peters Methodist Church where she played cornet in the praise band.
She graduated from Belwood School in 1936 along with her future husband, Bill Elam, and their lifelong closest friends, Homer and Charlene Mitchem Brackett. Mary received her teaching degree from Asheville Teachers College. She taught primary grades in Belwood and Caser, NC.
On August 8, 1942, she eloped with the love of her life, Bill Elam, who was in the Army. They married on the last day of his three day leave. They did not tell anyone they were married until he came home again six weeks later.
He was stationed at Morris Field in Charlotte during WWII and they lived in Jackson Homes base housing. Mary was a teacher at Sharon Elementary School during this time. After the war they went to Chapel Hill where Bill earned a degree in accounting at UNC.
During this time they lived in an 18 ft. “Teardrop” trailer in the Victory Village trailer park which was outside of Kenan Stadium. This post was trailer park was set up for housing the young families coming out of service and attending college.
With about 100 trailers, they shared the stadium fieldhouse for their toilet and shower facilities. This is where they were living when their daughter Melba was born. In 1947 they moved to Gastonia, NC where they lived for the next 13 years.
Their two sons, Joel and Nelson (Nick) were born during this time. Mary was a stay at home Mom who loved to sew and garden for her young family. In 1960 the family moved to Charlotte to Woodsdale Acres.
They were the first family to live in this community. They became charter members of Mulberry Baptist Church. Mary was always active in her church and community.
She taught children in Sunday School, was often in the church kitchen, and served on many committees. She sent cards and visited the elderly and homebound in her church and community. She worked the election polls for many years.
Mary assisted her husband Bill in his hobby of photography when he made wedding pictures. She attended the Mecklenburg County Senior Lunch Program, after she became a widow, for many years, and helped in the kitchen as long as she was able. Mary always loved to garden and share her vegetables with family, friends, and neighbors.
Mary was a sweet and loving person. Her words were always uplifting, her concerns were for those around her, she did not complain, and made use of every ounce of whatever res she had at hand. She wasted nothing, saved everything, and she saw the good in every situation.
She was a devoted Christian, mother, wife, neighbor, and friend. Above all she loved well. She was known for her quick humorous remarks and loved a good joke.
She will be missed by many. The Funeral Service for Mary will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at Mulberry Baptist Church at 1:00pm. Visitation will be held prior, from 12:00pm until 1:00pm.
Burial will be immediately following at Forest Lawn West Cemetery. The family would like to give special thanks to Hospice of Greater Charlotte, aides Delorise Kennedy and Jennifer Belis, and especially neighbor Barbara Campbell for providing day to day encouragement and assistance in helping the family to keep Mary in her home when she became unable to care for herself. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of the Charlotte Region, 7845 Little Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28226, or Mulberry Baptist Church, 6450 Tuckaseegee Road, Charlotte, NC 28214, or Hot Lunch Program Paw Creek Presbyterian Church, 7400 Mt.
Holly Road, Charlotte, NC 28214.
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