Biography Elms Norman-Arthur
Halifax Herald March 14, 2001
ELMS, Pastor Norman Arthur - 78, Monastery, Antigonish Co., passed away on Monday, March 12, 2001, in St. Martha's Regional Hospital, Antigonish. Born in Rear Monastery, he was a son of the late Lic. William John and Sadie (MacPhee) Elms.
He left school at an early age to seek employment. He later joined the Canadian Army and served overseas in Sicily and Italy from 1941 to 1945. Following his release, he trained as a brick layer and worked at many construction sites. He later formed his own brick laying business. He retired in 1997. Some of his fine brick work and fireplaces can be seen in many homes throughout eastern Nova Scotia. Under the leadership of his father, Pastor Elms accepted the Lord and was baptized in June 1952 by the late Rev. H. Donald Thomas.
Following in his father's footsteps, Pastor Elms began preaching the Gospel at the Tracadie United Baptist Church in 1961. Pastor Elms was appointed Deacon in 1962 and was crowned by the late Rev. H. Donald Thomas in October 1979. The African United Baptist Association appointed him as Licentiate in 1981. The A.U.B.A. later granted
him a pastoral license. Pastor Elms was a faithful worker and supporter of many church organizations. He was a council member of the Antigonish-Guysborough Association of the Atlantic Baptist Convention. He was past organizer and councilor of the Baptist Youth Fellowship, past superintendent, treasurer and Sunday school teacher, past president and organizer of the layman's council of the A.U.B.A., past president of the Tracadie Men's Brotherhood. He was a member of the Canadian Bible Society, Nova Scotia Division. Pastor Elms was a member of Guysborough Eastern Light Lodge 72. He served as junior warden and senior warden, past Worshipful Master and as chaplain until his illness. He was a former member of Equity Lodge 106, Halifax; a member of Royal Canadian Legion, Arras Branch 59, Antigonish. He sponsored a foster child for many years. Pastor Elms was the recipient of several awards and certificates for voluntary services including the Black Wall of Fame, the Black United Front, Sydney-Toronto Association, C.N.I.B. and the Municipal Regional Commission for the District of Guysborough.
Pastor Elms was a kind and compassionate person who was much loved by both young and old. He was very faithful in visiting the sick and shut-in, bringing the word of God to them.
He leaves to mourn his wife, Marion (Ashe) Elms; son, Arley, Toronto; stepdaughter, Marilyn Medley, Eastern Passage; stepson, Randy, at home; sisters, Elsie, Waterville; Helen, Toronto; brothers, Frederick, Halifax; Russell, Upper Big Tracadie; grandsons, Sterling and Jason; niece, Patricia Skinner, Antigonish; several other nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by stepson, Thomas; sister, Bessie; brothers, John, George, James, William and Ralph.
The remains will be resting in the family residence, 410 Monastery-Guysborough Highway after 4 p.m. today. A Brotherhood service will be held at 7 p.m. this evening and a Masonic service 7 p.m. Thursday evening, both in the residence. Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Friday in the Tracadie United Baptist Church, Rev. Morley Shaw officiating. Burial will be in Sunnyview Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations to Tracadie United Baptist Church. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury.
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