Phyllis Elaine Elam

Phyllis Elaine Elam, 81, of Mexico, was called home to our Heavenly Father on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the University of Missouri Hospital.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Phyllis was born on September 30, 1945, in Brookfield, Missouri, the daughter of Gilbert Kenneth and Mary Alice (Boswell) Coram. She graduated from Brookfield High School. On May 28, 1965, she married Donald Ray Elam in Fairfield, California.

Mrs. Elam was a member of Centennial Baptist Church, where she especially enjoyed helping in the nursery. She also had a passion for music, painting and loved sharing her artwork with others.

Phyllis Elam was the very definition of a giving soul. She opened not only her heart, but her home to everyone, touching countless lives simply by loving people for who they were. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and so much more to so many.

To Phyllis, family was never defined by blood alone. Her family continued to grow throughout her life because when she loved someone, she welcomed them completely. She saw no difference between the family she was born into, the family born to her, and the family her heart chose along the way. Her love came freely, deeply, and without conditions.

Phyllis was the glue that held so many of us together. She was the person you could turn to, the heart you could count on, and the home that was always safe. She loved more deeply than words can adequately express, and the love she gave will continue to live on through every person fortunate enough to have been loved by her. She could make anyone smile and laugh, brightening their whole day.

Survivors include her husband, Don Elam of the home; three children, Melissa Elam of Mexico, Travis (Jennifer) Elam of Burlison, Tennessee, and Addie Newman of Brookfield; nine grandchildren, Jackie (Mike) Kibler of Boonsboro, Maryland, Mike Elam of Mexico, Olivia (Dalton) Ludwick of Fulton, Shelli Elam of Mexico, Caiden, Camryn, Denver, Ashton, Sage of Brookfield; two great-grandchildren, Cody and Jason; and several nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was preceded in death by a daughter, Sonja Elam; her parents, Gilbert and Mary Coram; two sisters, Barbara Coram and Sheila Rae Jenkins; one brother, Kenny Coram; and one grandchild, Collin.

Memorial donations may be made to Nester Chapel in New Boston, Missouri. They may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson Street, Mexico, MO 65265.