Elias Odeh Shunnarah

Elias Odeh Shunnarah, age 72, passed away on February 7, 2014. He is survived by his wife and best friend for 46 years, Rima D. Shunnarah. He was blessed with four children and nine grandchildren: Vivian S. Cory (Ernie) and Hannah, Katherine and Jamie, Mazin Shunnarah (Jennifer) and Eli and Marina, Vicky S. Maluff (David) and Luke and Mary Alex, Bobby Shunnarah (Stephanie) and Andrew and Layla. He is also survived by his sisters, Bahia Shunnarah, Nabeeha Shunnarah and Naimeh Shunnarah, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Odeh and Maria Shunnarah, his brothers, Saleem Shunnarah, Wadie Shunnarah, and Iskander Shunnarah, and sisters, Yasmeen Salameh and Milada Shunnarah. Elias worked so hard to secure a life for his children and grandchildren that would be better than his. Without an education, he opened a meat market and worked it six days a week, for over 30 years, so that his children would have something he never did - a college education. He only retired after all his children had graduated from college. He fervently believed that being well educated was vital to young people, that it was the key to success, and something that once earned, no one could ever take it away from you. His proudest accomplishment in life was that all his children went to college and then pursued and obtained post-graduate professional degrees, and developed successful careers and rewarding lives. Seeing his first grandchildren enter the University of Alabama was affirmation that the opportunities and education he had provided to his children were indeed his greatest legacy. He and Rima kept their family close. He was a true family man. He never worked on Sunday and always saved that day for his family. Rima was everything to him; she worked as tirelessly as he did, and when he retired, they finally had the opportunity to spend time together. He so adored her and never wanted her to suffer after all that she had given to him, and it would pain him to see her struggle with his passing. Elias had such love, warmth and compassion for his children and grandchildren. As he had done for his children, he imparted to his grandchildren the values of hard work, charity, and humility, and shared with them the virtues of looking sharp, getting good grades, and playing a good hand in cards. He never missed their birthdays, and rarely missed their sports games. He was not a great coach, but he was their most avid fan – win, lose or draw. He never learned modern math, but he taught them the value of the dollar they earned and how to compound their earnings. He made them his best friends and from that grew their understanding of the strength of being a family. Elias was generous to a fault, always giving to others – to his wife, to his children and grandchildren, to his customers and to complete strangers. He was satisfied to measure his wealth by what he gave to others, rather than what he kept for himself. He lived a selfless life, grateful to be able to help others. He was devout in his faith and was a long time member of St. George Melkite Greek Catholic Church. After retirement, he became an avid organizer and participant of morning coffee with friends. He was proud of his heritage and participated in all events to honor his homeland. Visitation with the family will be Sunday, February 9, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. George Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Birmingham, with the service starting at 7:00 p.m. The funeral will be Monday, February 10, at 10:00 a.m. at St. George Melkite Greek Catholic Church. -