Mr. Mervin Wayne Elam, age 77, of Manchester, passed from this life in his home on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. Mr. Elam was born in Manchester, to his late parents Luther Elam and Eula Mable Bowman Elam. He was raised in the Pocahontas Community in Coffee County where he attended church at Pocahontas Church of Christ for many years. Mr. Elam worked for Batesville Casket Company for over 30 years as a truck driver, having logged over 3.3 million accident-free miles during his tenure. Mervin put his family, and friends who were like family, first in all that he did. He had an admirable way of being there for everyone he loved; whether it be at a ballgame, or simply showing up for anyone who needed him. Mervin was a founder of the Dusty Elam Foundation where he sold hundreds of tickets, smoked countless pounds of BBQ, and volunteered much of his time giving back to the community. He was the driving force behind the scenes for the Dusty Elam Foundation and its continued success. You could always find Mervin on a mower, tractor, or working on a project in his garage. Mervin and his wife Sharon have had a hand in raising half of this county and have always had an open- door policy at their home. Mervin never met a stranger. He was very trusting of others and had a way of always seeing the best in everyone. Mervin’s love language was shown through a good joke or aggravating others. A mentor to many, and a friend to all. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Dusty Elam; siblings, Mary Margette Keele, Delois Parker, Lynward Elam, Austin Elam, Imogene Demintoff, and Edgar Elam. Mervin was a supporting husband to his wife Sharon of 44 years; a loving father to his son, Chris (Kristen) Elam; daughters, Sonya (Keith) Stephenson and Sarah Beth Elam (Keith Adams); the best grandpa to his grandchildren, Selvin Stephenson, Cooper Elam, Sawyer Elam, Boone Adams, and Reese Elam; several nieces and nephews. Visitation was held Saturday, Jan. 27, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Central Funeral Home in Manchester. Funeral services were conducted immediately following visitation at 2 p.m. with Dustin Murray and Joel Gregory officiating. Burial followed at Shady Grove Cemetery in Morrison. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Dusty Elam Foundation.

Central Funeral Home is honored to serve the Elam family, 931-723-7774, centralfuneralhome.com