James Elam

James Elam PORTSMOUTH - James Elam, 69, of the 1100 block of Darren Drive, was called home to be with the Lord on Monday, Sept. 7, 2009. He was a native of Belvedere, S.C., and son to the late Jeff and Alberta Elam. He served in the United States Navy and retired from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a general foreman electrician. He was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. His various affiliations included: Past Master of Brighton Rock Lodge No. 79; Past Commander in Chief of Alpha and Omega Consistory No. 9; Past State Vice Commander American Legion Department of Virginia; Past Commander American Legion Post 190; and Past Potentate of Arabia Temple No. 12. He volunteered at the Hampton VA Medical Center, Spinal Cord Injured Unit. James is survived by his loving wife, Sarah; daughter, Pamela (Delano); two sons, James II and Jeffrey; two sisters, Roszelle and Mattie (William); four brothers, Willie (Josephine), Albert (Cassandra), Henry (Sarah), and Joseph (Ethel); other family and friends. A life celebration service will be held from 6 until 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009 at First Baptist Church, Camelot, 1008 Sir Lancelot Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23323. A life celebration service will also be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009 in North Augusta, S.C., at Bethlehem Baptist Church. Interment will be in the church cemetery. The family has entrusted J. T. Fisher Funeral Services to handle the final care arrangements. Condolences can be offered to the family at www.jtfisherfuneralservices.com.