Written by Fay L. Robinson, his former school teacher.
"Absent in the body, at home with the lord."
Elbert Elam was born on a farm in the Rock community, February
7, 1907. He was the second son of A. J. and Ernest Hancock Elam.
His tragic death occurred at his farm home April 10,1958. Between
those dates flowed a brief life, but one whose every thought and
action was devoted to the noble purposes of life.
He accepted Jesus as his personal Saviour when 15 years of age
and joined the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, July 3, 1927, he consecrated
his life to God and was ordained to preach the gospel. He proved
himself a stalwart leader for the fundamental principles of pure
Christianity preaching the Gospel in many areas of Southern Illinois.
Some of the Missionary Baptist churches he served were: Mt. Zion,
County Line, Big Saline, Mt. Pleasant, Concord and New Liberty.
At the time of his passing he was the pastor of Robbs Church,
a church that he labored tirelessly and faithfully to help organize.
Rev. Elam grew up on a farm, watching sunshine and showers, growth
and decay, and to his observing mind, these could only answer
and exemplify the supreme question in his mind, "If a man
dies shall he live again?" His life has proven that he was
convinced of this truth, and in laying down his earthly burden
and greeting his Master we hear him say as well becomes the Christian
Pilgrim:
"I have fought a good fight,
I have kept the faith."
July 15, 1927 he was married to Ina Mae Cletcher, together they
builded a home where love ruled supreme and friendship always
found a welcome greeting. God blessed this worthy couple with
three children: Everett Eugene, who died in infancy, Stanley,
Golconda and Bonnie Wood of Peoria, IL.
He leaves to mourn his faithful, invalid wife, for whom he has
so tenderly cared, his two loving children, Stanley and Bonnie,
one precious little granddaughter, Loretta Kay Wood, a sister,
Rista Ragain, Metropolis, two brothers, Elmer of Metropolis and
Olca, Rosebud; a devoted daughter-in-law, Dawn and a son- in-
law, Marion Wood, numerous other relatives and a host of admiring
friends are grieving today because of his passing.
Since Yesterday
Where has he gone since yesterday….
The friend who left us here?
Today he seems so far away
Who yester-eve was near.
No map of ours, on sea or land,
His journeyings may trace;
We only know he’s reached his home
And seen his Father’s face.
Funeral services were held Sunday, April 13, at Mt. Zion Baptist
Church at 2 pm. Conducted by Rev. Wesley Tucker, assisted by Rev.
L. H. Moore, and Rev. Joe A. Baker. The Rev. L. R. Bowles led
the choir singing with Mrs. Fay L. Robinson as pianist.
Pallbearers were: Alvie Parmley, Eugene Lauderdale, Clarence Summers,
Milford Floyd, Ray Jackson, Roy Taylor and Joe Tom Reames. A number
of ministers from this and neighboring areas served as honorary
pallbearers.
The remains of Rev. Elam were tenderly laid to rest in Mt. Zion
Cemetery with Rottman Funeral Service of Golconda in charge of
arrangements.
Ministers that attended as Honorary Pallbearers:
Charles E. Holland Hobart Peterson George Carter, Sr.
Louie Simmons Otto Kunath J. J. Evitts
Clyde Vinyard Elmer Collier James Hicks
Matthew Roberts Melvin Racey H. S. Barger
John W. Aldridge T. Roy Jennings John L. Cox
Ulys Blanchard Harlen Bullock Boyd Metcalf
Lowell West Mizell Grant Paul Frick
Ray Grisham L. R. Bowles