Rev. Donald Charles Elam Sr.

Family-Placed Obituary

REV. DONALD CHARLES ELAM, Sr. Born December 25, 1946 to the late William and Bertha Elam in West Palm Beach, FL departed this life after a brief illness on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center. He attended Roosevelt High School graduating in the Class of 1964. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal after being injured in Viet Nam in 1966. Upon discharge from the Army, he served as a nurse at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. for two years. Upon returning to the area, he continued his education at Palm Beach Junior (Palm Beach State) College obtaining an Associate of Arts degree, he continued on to Florida Atlantic University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. He also attended and graduated from Moody Bible Institute. Donald accepted Christ at a young age attending Roanoke Missionary Baptist Church serving under the leadership of Rev. L. J. Alford. He became an ordained minister at St. Paul A.M.E. Church under the pastorate of Rev. J. R. Campbell. He later returned to the Baptist faith and united with Tabernacle Missionary Baptist under the pastorate of Rev. Gerald Kisner. Donald was loved and will be missed by his children: Trellawney (Anthony) Christian, Desiree (Amos, Jr.) Jackson, Donald (Sonya) McIntosh, Abram Elam, Mary Elam, and Matthew Elam; 30 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Bettye Young; sister-in-law, Edith McClendon; devoted friend, Addie (David) Elam-Lewis; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Simon (Sonny) McClendon; children, Terrance Fox, Donald Runner, Donald Elam II, and Christina Elam. Memorial service will be held Thursday, December 8, 2011, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Shuler's Memorial Chapel, 5301 Australian Avenue, Mangonia Park, FL. Funeral service will be held Friday, December 9, 2011, 11:00 AM at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 801 Eighth Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, Rev. Gerald Kisner, officiating. Military burial service will take place at South Florida Regional Cemetery at 2:00 PM. To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries