Anne Ruth Elam

Anne Ruth Elam, 91, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2022. Loving mother of Deborah (Don) Campbell, Linda (Stephen) Jacobs, Teresa (Elam), cherished grandmother of Todd (Jennifer) Jacobs, Eric (Joanna) Campbell, Cole (Ann Renee) Campbell and Emily Rushing, adored great grandmother of Jackson, Rebekah, Zachary, Gracie, Allison, Rose, Campbell, Carter and Henry and dear sister of Bertha Satterly. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. She will be missed by all.

Anne was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years Percell Elam, parents William Riley and Polly Ann Dixon Back and siblings Custer Back, Carrie Roberts, Vivian Branson, Grace Caudill, Bertie Miller, Jessie Hampton, Emery Back, and Vyron Back.

Ann was born in Blackey Kentucky on May 29, 1931 to William Riley Back and Polly Ann Dixon Back. She was the youngest of 10 children. Her sister Bertha Satterly (next to youngest) lives in Indiana. Anne grew up in a community known as Elk Creek, in South Eastern Kentucky near Blackey. Lots of aunts, uncles and cousins lived nearby. She loved her years at the Stuart Robinson Settlement School in Blackey Kentucky. The school was established as a Presbyterian Mission. Anne graduated from high school at Stuart Robinson School. She attended many reunions there in the years since. You could see a picture of the school library on the wall in her room at Oak Creek Terrace.

Anne married Percell Elam (also from Kentucky) on December 29, 1951, after he completed his service in the Army. They moved to Cincinnati, Ohio for work, then to Dayton, Ohio where Percell worked for Chrysler and retired there. Anne worked and retired from the US Postal Service. They have 3 daughters Debbie, Linda and Teresa. She has 4 grandchildren, Todd, Eric, Cole and Emily and 9 great grandchildren Jackson, Rebekah, Zachary, Campbell, Gracie, Allison, Rose, Carter and Henry.

Anne loved reading books and working in her flower and vegetable gardens. Many family vacations were at beaches in Florida, Myrtle Beach, areas of Tennessee and Niagra Falls. There were lots of visits to south Eastern Kentucky to visit family as well. Family pets were a yellow Canary, dogs and cats and a baby chicken her youngest daughter brought home from school. Early years in Dayton the family attended East Dayton Baptist Church, then later Anne and Percell attended Brantwood Baptist Church.

Public visitation will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home (3380 Dayton - Xenia Rd.) on Monday November 14, 2022 at 10:00 am with funeral service to follow at 11:00 am. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Valley View Memorial Gardens.