First Lady Sylvia Jean Holtzclaw Elam

First Lady Sylvia Jean Holtzclaw Elam, 70, of Durham, NC and formerly of Buffalo Junction, entered eternal rest Thursday, October 15, 2015 at Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC. Mrs. Elam was born in Buffalo Junction, VA on March 7, 1945 to the late Ramon and Aster Lily Holtzclaw. At an early age, she joined St. Mark Baptist Church and was a graduate of West End High School, Clarksville, VA. She was a 1967 graduate of Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA, earning a degree in Dietetics. She was formerly employed as a Dietician and was a McDonald’s franchise owner. In 1987, Mrs. Elam joined North East Baptist Church in Durham, NC where she served as a Sunday School teacher and was involved in the Deaconess, Sunday School and Youth Ministries . In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Pastor of North East Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Wesley L. Elam on Sept. 28, 2015 and one brother, Ramon Holtzclaw. Cherishing her memories are two children, Ayesha Elam of Durham, NC and Wesley L. Elam, Jr. of Greensboro, NC, twin granddaughters, Madisyn and Makenzie Elam of Durham, NC; one sister, Blanche Ann Goode of Buffalo Junction, VA; three brothers-in-law; two sisters-in-law and a vast number of other loving relatives and caring friends. Funeral services for First Lady Sylvia Jean Holtzclaw Elam will be conducted 12:00 Noon, Saturday, October 24, 2015 at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, 2200 S. Alston Avenue, Durham, NC with Rev. James T. Elam, Jr., officiating. Burial for First Lady Sylvia Jean Holtzclaw and Rev. Dr. Wesley Leon Elam will follow at St. Mark Baptist Church Cemetery, Buffalo Junction, VA. Public viewing and family visitation will be held on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Arrangements are by C. H. Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Service.