James Elam (7-23-09) services 7-26-09

James R. Elam was born Dec. 24, 1934, in McNairy County,the son of the late Floyd (Doc) Dolphus and Fannie Ray Elam. He was united in marriage to Anne Kelly on Sept. 19, 1980. Mr. Elam was a member of the Second Baptist Church in Selmer. He served in the Air Force for eight years. He was owner and operator of Elam’s Corner in Crossroads, Miss.,for 11 years. In earlier years he worked as a service representative for Cardinal Machinery and later for Elam’s Machinery. Mr. Elam departed this life on Thursday, July 23, in Jackson, Tenn. at the age of 74 years, 6 months, 29 days. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Anne Kelly Elam of Savannah; five daughters, Lorraine Martin of Bentley, Kan., Lisa Cooper of Savannah, Regina Kutila of Savannah, Brenda Neely of Knoxville, Deborah Frazier of Carthage, Miss.; seven sons, Joe King of Halstead, Kan., Floyd (Doc) King of Hudson, Kan., James R. Elam Jr. of Savannah, Don Curtis McKnatt Jr. of Blue Mountain, Miss., Corey Anderson McKnatt of Hernando, Miss., Daniel McKnatt of Jackson, Miss., Jerry Daniel Peavy of Jackson, Miss.; a brother, Joe Elam of Selmer; 28 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Elam was preceded in death by his stepmother, Nellie Elam; a son, Michael Peavy; two daughters, Patricia Peavy, Laurie Rainey; a sister, Linda Elam; two brothers, Gerald and A. W. Elam; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services were held on Sunday, July 26, at 10 a.m., at Shackelford Funeral Directors of Selmer, with Joe Hickman officiating. Burial was in the Mt. Zion Cemetery in Stantonville, Tenn.