Sanford Elam, 68, Lee's Summit, Missouri, was born May 29, 1947 to the late Albert and Peola Elam in Covington, Tennessee. He was the fourteenth of seventeen children. He was preceded in death by six brothers: Albert Jr, John, Willie Lewis, Charles, Frank and Eddie Mack Elam and five sisters: Ruby West, Annie Faye Jones, Beulah Elkin, Nell Rich and Everlyna Boyd. Sanford, known to friends as 'Sam', received his formal education at Frazier High School in Covington. Upon graduating high school he decided to move to Kansas City with his sister Nell. He then went to work for Honeywell for two years before enlisting in the United States Army, where he served in the Vietnam War. He returned to Honeywell and worked there for a total of 44 years, retiring at the end of September 2012. Sanford accepted Christ at an early age in Covington and was a member of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, under the leader ship of the late Rev. L.R. Donson. Upon relocating to Kansas City he became a member of Maranatha Family Worship Center, under the leadership of Bishop Lester C. Jones. Sanford united in holy matrimony to Barbara Doxey on October 20, 1977 until his home going. They were married for thirty-nine years. Sam was a lover everything fashion, particularly nice shoes and clothes. He also loved fishing and photography. You could always find him at the best fishing holes or behind the camera taking pictures. Sanford departed this life on Monday, May 2, of 2016 at the Kansas City Hospice House. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will always be remembered for his kindness, big smile and the concern he had for everyone. He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Barbara Ann Elam; one son, Eric Chappell of Kansas City; four daughters, Nannette Victor of Chicago, IL, Dawn Williams, Shelena Elam and Yoni Elam all of Kansas City; two brothers, Arzell Elam (Patricia) of Covington, TN and Robert Elam (Mary) of Detroit, MI; three sisters, Georgia Nelson of Covington, TN, Patsy Johnson of Brighton, TN, Linda Davis of Mason, TN; ten grandchildren, two great grandchildren and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be Saturday, May 7, 11:00 a.m. at Maranatha Family Worship Center. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the church. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on this website.