1ST SGT. John “Jip” Elders of Talladega passed away November 14, 2025, at the age of 90. The family will receive friends Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with funeral service 11:00 AM, Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega. Rev. Kevin Jones will officiate the service. Interment will follow at Pine Hill Memorial Park.

“Jip” was a native of Talladega and graduated from Talladega High School and Nunnelley State Technical College. He honorably served and retired from the U.S. Army where he was a veteran of The Korean War and Vietnam Conflict. After his military retirement, he worked and retired from the Talladega Board of Education where he was an R.O.T.C. teacher. Mr. Elders enjoyed fishing, hunting, and watching hummingbirds. He adored his grandchildren and spending time with them.

Mr. Elders is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Myrtle Elders, his wife, Mary Heath Elders, and 7 siblings.

He is survived by his daughters, Rosemary (Mark) Sizemore, Nita (Ricky) Otwell, and Teresa (Jerry) Shierling; sister, Doris McDaniel, 9 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Darrell Otwell, Johnathan Coley, Marcus Sizemore, Dalton Perley, Braedyn Davis, David Street, and Jessie Sewell. Honorary pallbearers are Kevin Perley, Colby Perley, Jamey Davis, Antonio Rivers, Levi Smith, and Jaxon Perley.

Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega is directing services.