Carlton Elam

Carlton Nicholas Elam, Jr. "Nick" 87 years old of Powhatan, Virginia went to be with his Lord and Savior in the early morning of December 1, 2025. 

Nick is predeceased by his father Carlton Nicholas Elam, Sr.; his mother Rachel Alma Mistr and son Carlton Nicholas Elam, III. 

Nick is survived by his wife of 26 years Deborah "Debbie" Davis Elam; beloved son James Burnette Elam (Mary)of Powhatan, sister Josephine Elam Gates of Midlothian. Also survived by his granddaughter Lindsey Effie Elam and grandsons Nicholas Elam, and James Elam. Nick is also survived by his faithful labrador retriever, Jim and little Daisy Margaret. 

Nick was a 1960 graduate of Virginia Tech, Bachelor of Science in the Dairy field. While at Virginia Tech Nick played in the Highty-Tighties Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. At 35 years old, he attended and graduate of the University of Georgia, School of Veterinary Medicine in Athens, Georgia in 1974.

Nick opened and operated his large animal practice in Amelia, from 1982 until 1990. In 1974 he opened a small animal veterinarian practice in Powhatan in 1974 with special interest in canine reproduction. 

Nick and Debbie were married at Bethel Baptist Church on October 1, 1999 - the same day of the year that his mother and father was married. Debbie worked many hours at Elam Animal Hospital in Powhatan from 1999 until they retired in April of 2018. Elam Animal Hospital later became River Run Animal Hospital on Anderson Highway.

Nick continued his education by attending the EVSSAR (European Veterinary Society of Small Animal Reproduction) and has studied abroad in France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Austria and Canada. In 2008 Dr. Elam was appointed Representative for North America to the EVSSAR.

He was also a member of the Society of Theriogenology. He is also a lifetime member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Nick earned his designation as a Field Trial Judge for both AKC Licensed Field Trials and AKC Hunt Tests. His judging skills have been outstanding and he has had the honor of being asked to judge in Vermont, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey, and Ohio. 

Dr. Elam has trained and competed with several Labrador Retrievers qualifying for 7 National Open and/or Amateur Championships between 2005 and 2011 with his yellow female "Hanna" FC-AFC Shooter's Sugar Cookie. 

He was a long time member of May Memorial Baptist Church in Powhatan. He dearly loved the traditions of May Memorial. Nick was so very proud of Pastor Michael Edwards, Associate Pastor Carlisle Davidhizer, Pianist Sandra Parker and Organist Kenny Taggert. He loved the weekly music selections and so looked forward to his next visit to May Memorial. He attended his last Worship Service on Sunday November 16, 2025 and his Celebration of Life on Saturday, December 6, 2025 will be his final earthly visit. 

 Nick took great comfort knowing he was a beloved Child of God. He hoped to be remembered for his love of being a Christian, as a good husband, father, and veterinarian.

 He enjoyed duck hunting, training dogs and in his retirement years, loved planting flowers with Debbie at their home in Powhatan. He loved to mentor to anyone who was interested in veterinarian care of large and small animals.

 Visitation will be from on Friday, December 5 from 2pm to 4pm and from 6pm to 8pm at Bennett and Barden Funeral Home; 3215 Anderson Highway; Powhatan, VA 23139.

Nick's Celebration of Life will be held at May Memorial Baptist Church; 3922 Old Buckingham Road; Powhatan, VA 23139 at 10:00am Saturday, December 6, 2025. Internment at Powhatan Community Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Dr. Nick Elam Scholarship Fund at May Memorial Baptist Church; 3922 Old Buckingham Road; Powhatan, VA 23139.