Bobby Elam

Don Elam’s Celebration of Life will be Tuesday, November 8 at Valley View Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa. Visitation will begin at 10am and the service will start at 11am

Bobby Donald Elam was born September 28, 1948 at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL to the late Verrell Donald Elam and late Bobbie Jean “Horton” Hartley. Don married Ethel Marie Franklin on October 19, 1968. They had a daughter and a son, Donna and Brad, and he resided in Tuscaloosa, AL with Marie. Don loved and adored Marie for 54 years of marriage and raised a family that eventually included eight grandchildren.

He is survived by a daughter, Donna Trawick (Keith) of Columbus, GA and Brad Elam (Bethany) of Thomasville, AL: eight grandchildren, Lilly Trawick, Morgan Trawick, Julia Faith Trawick, Cooper Elam, Luke Trawick, Nell Trawick, Conner Elam, and Carson Elam. At the age of nineteen, Don began his two years of service in the U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade that included one year of intense combat in Vietnam. He was awarded numerous medals, including the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device, and the Air Medal for meritorious achievement. Don was honorably discharged with rank of Sergeant E-5. He attended Marion Institute and Florida State University on full football scholarships where he was a starting center and defensive tackle. Don gained further post graduate degrees that ultimately included his Doctorate in Education. He had a successful career in coaching and education; having served the first twelve years of his career as a head football coach and athletic director. He then transitioned to school administration and spent the following sixteen years as a principal and superintendent of schools. After his twenty eight years in Georgia, Don’s greatest honor was moving back to his hometown of Brent, AL, where he ended his final professional tenure as superintendent of schools.

Above all, Don had an intense love for Jesus. He showed this love by giving so generously to others. Nothing brought him more pleasure than delivering bags of fresh apples in the fall, shelled pecans in the winter, and baskets of peaches in the spring and summer. He seldom arrived anywhere empty handed. An ordained deacon, Don was a devoted member of his church and together with Marie, ministered to senior adults in their local church after his retirement. His servant heart also extended to larger groups and organizations such as Alabama Children’s Homes, Samaritan’s Purse, and Gideon International.

To honor Don’s memory further, please consider a donation in his name to either of the below organizations:

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/

https://www.alabamachild.org/