Joan-Marie Parks Elam

Joan-Marie Parks Elam, age 90, a resident of Fairhope, died on Monday, April 13, 2020. She was born in Mobile, AL on June 5, 1929. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Morgan Elam; son, Mark Alan Smith; parents, William J. Parks and Mary Medicus Parks; and sister, Claire Parks Lagman. She is survived by her daughter, Lia Frederick (Dug); step-children, William (Elizabeth) Elam, Robert (Carol) Elam and Elizabeth (Scott) Elam Croft. Mrs. Elam graduated from the Convent of Mercy High School in 1947 and attended Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in Terre Haute, Indiana. She was one of the founding parents of the Mobile Association of Retarded Citizens and worked as its first Executive Secretary in the 1950s. For over 20 years, Mrs. Elam was a tutor for the Literacy Program of Goodwill Easter Seals teaching over 15 adults to read. Mrs. Elam was a 1994 graduate of education for Ministry, a 4-year Theology/Church History course and mentored EFM groups for 13 years at Saint John’s Episcopal Church. A Celebration of Joan-Marie’s Life will be held a later date. Interment will be at St. John’s Episcopal Church in the Memory Garden Courtyard. In lieu of flowers, the family strongly urges that donations be made to Saint John’s Episcopal Church, 1707 Government St., Mobile, AL 36604 or Literacy, c/o Goodwill / Easter Seals, 266 Azalea Road, Mobile, AL 36609. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO RD FAIRHOPE, AL 36532 (251) 990-7775