George "Ben" Elam passed away peacefully at Peak Resources in Shelby, NC on Sunday, September 10, 2023.

Ben was a native of Cleveland County and was the son of Roland and Maryann Elam.

Ben served two tours in the Korean War as a radio operator and he retired after over forty years of service as a supervisor at Dover Textiles. After retirement, he worked for 15 years in the Hardware department at Walmart. Ben was known as a kind, quiet, and gentle-spirited man. He enjoyed collecting baseball cards and watching NASCAR, along with hanging out with "Poncho," his American Bull Terrier.

Ben is survived by his children, Sandra Fowler (Steve), Stephen Elam (Angela) and grandson, Tyler Elam.

In addition to his parents, Ben is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Sarah Marie Elam; brother, Roland Elam; and sisters, Mary Spangler, Jan Bell and Evelyn Hull.

The Elam family wishes to express their heart-felt appreciation to the nurses, CNAs, and the entire staff at Peak Resources of Cleveland County and to Hospice of Cleveland County for their excellent service and care of Mr. George Elam.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Peak Resources of Shelby, 1101 N. Morgan St., Shelby, NC 28150 or Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Dr., Shelby, NC 28150.

A graveside service will be at Cleveland Memorial Park on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 1:00 PM, with Pastors Richard Stroup and Jerry Clontz officiating. Following the service, there will be a visitation at the graveside.

Condolence messages may be made online at cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Elam family.