Mary Anise Elam

Mary Anise Elam (nee Welch, known as Mary An) went to be with our Lord on December 16, 2015, in Jackson, MS. She was born in 1919 in Mississippi to Marion Mahala Duckworth Welch and William Estus Welch. She was the youngest of seven children and was especially close to her four sisters. She attended school in Laurel while her father was Jones County Sheriff.
She graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in Commerce. She thoroughly enjoyed working as secretary to the Math Department while she was a student at LSU. After graduation she moved in with her mother and sisters, who had relocated to Gulfport after the death of her father. She started work in Gulfport as secretary to Rupert Cook at Gulf Park and later worked at Mississippi Power Company, where she was an executive secretary to one of the vice presidents.
In 1949 she married William Clarence Elam, Jr. and after that devoted most of her time and energy to her family. She was a loving mother who created a caring home for her husband and three children and gave them much philosophical advice that provided a solid foundation for dealing with the world.
She and her husband were active in First United Methodist Church in Gulfport for over 50 years, where Mary An taught Sunday school and was a regular attendee at the Methodist Women Circle. She served as president of the Gulfport Business and Professional Women's Club, belonged to the Jaycettes, and was a founding member of the Gulfport Little Theater. She was active in GYC Ladies Auxiliary, Beta Sigma Phi, and both Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. When her children grew older she worked for Jim True doing accounts and later for University of Georgia as a local Headstart tester and classroom observer.
She is survived by her three children and their spouses: William Timothy Elam and Gayle Ayers Elam; J. Chris Elam and Michael R. Parker; and Susan Anise E. Hawley and Mark S. Hawley; four grandchildren: Elisa Anise Hawley, Lauren Marie Hawley, Erika Marie Elam, and Mitchell Ayers Elam; as well as many, many nieces, nephews, and their descendants.
Most people who knew her described her as the nicest and kindest person they had ever known. She was welcoming and caring toward everyone and was loved by all she came into contact with.
Services will be held on Monday, December 28, 2015, at First United Methodist Church in Gulfport at 12 o'clock in the afternoon with visitation one hour prior. Interment will be in Biloxi National Cemetery with her husband.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, is serving the family, and memories may be shared at www.riemannfamily.com