Morris Alexander Elam Sr.

Morris Alexander Elam, Sr. was born October 7, 1924, to Sadie Morris Elam and Joseph A. Elam of Salem, VA. Morris was the first of two born to this union. Daughter Ann Gloria followed December 5, 1925. Morris spent his early years under the care of his maternal Aunt Ellen and her husband Robert H. Hale in Roanoke, Va. He graduated from Lucy Addison High School in Roanoke. He went on to college at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama where his education was interrupted by wartime service in the United States Army European Theater. From the age of seven his grandfather Edgar Lee Morris, an electrical engineer with Lea's & McVitty Tanneries, mentored him. He went on to become one of the first independent electrical contractors in Salem. Following the death of his grandfather, Morris continued operating the Morris Elam Electrical Company. He subsequently expanded into real estate development where he was active until his death. Morris married the dynamic and unforgettable Doris Mae Reid on June 24, 1949, a former school teacher, house wife and personnel Director for TAP. Her death on December 28, 1980, left a void in the Elam family but the blessed union of Morris and Doris brought forth three sons, Morris, Jr., Michael Reid (Katherin) and David Kevin (Carol). Morris is the grandfather (also known as "D-Dad") to eight fabulous grandchildren, Alexis Ann, David Kevin (DK), Kaila Ann, Kari Ellen, Kiana Allison, Brian Alexander, Kandace Amber and Melanie Nicole. His sister, Ann Elam Patterson, also survives him. Morris' life was filled with fun and frolic as he followed his life long obsession. As a Jazz connoisseur and avid drummer, he traveled Europe, Asia and the U. S. in pursuit of this passion. As a testament to his interest Morris attended the Nice, France Jazz Festival for 25 years. He graciously hosted jazz icons of the Duke Ellington Band including such notables as Paul Gonsalves, Russell Procoat, Clark Terry and Sam Woodyard. Morris led an active civic and social life. He was a founding board member of Salem Bank & Trust (now FNB). He also held memberships in NAACP (lifetime), Omega Psi Phi, Sigma Pi Phi (Boulé), the Dinner Dance Club and St. Paul United Methodist Church. Morris' life was filled with good friends, good times, and multiple blessings. He is sorely missed by numerous family, friends and associates. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 6, 2006 at St. Paul United Methodist Church with Rev. Kent Jeter officiating. The interment will be in Williams Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to the Downtown Music Lab, P.O. Box 2868, Roanoke, Virginia 24011. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to www.Hamlar-Curtis.com.