Mr. Johnnie B. Elias, 91, of Ft. Mitchell, AL passed Friday, December 3, 2021 in Phenix City, AL.

Funeral service will be 11:30 a.m. EST, Friday, December 10, 2021 at St. John A.M.E. Church, Ft. Mitchell, AL with Rev. H.C. McGruder, officiating. Interment will follow in Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, December 9, 2021 from 1-5 p.m. EST.

Deacon Johnnie B. Elias Sr. son of the late Sam Elias and the late Everleaner McCoy Elias, was born on July 24, 1930 in Fort Mitchell, Alabama. He departed this earthly life and entered into eternal rest on Friday, December 3, 2021 at Canterbury Health Care Facility, Phenix City Alabama.

Deacon Elias accepted Christ as his personal savior at an early age and united with New Hope Baptist Church in Holy Trinity Alabama. During his many years of service, he served as a devoted deacon, dedicated member of the finance committee, and a committed steward overseeing the church building operations. He served two years in the United States Army, and retired from Royal Crown Cola with 33 years of dedicated employment.

Deacon Elias united in Holy Matrimony to the love of his life, Mrs. Lula Mae Elias on July 4, 1954.

Deacon Elias was preceded in death by five brothers, Frank Elias, Willie Elias, Andrew Elias, Lee Ernest Elias, and Robert Elias Carter; four sisters, Nora McCoy, Katherine Edwards, Ethel Mae McCoy, and Florie Lee Edwards; two grandchildren, Tavares Thomas, and Shamika K. Butts.

He leaves to cherish with love, a sincere spirit of gratitude and loving memories of his long life, his beautiful wife of 67 years, Mrs. Lula Mae Elias, Ft. Mitchell, AL; six sons, Ron Lover (Gail) Houston, TX, Bobby L. Elias (Linda), Wilfred Elias, and Johnny B. Elias Jr. of Ft. Mitchell, AL, Garry R. Elias (Linda), and Mark Elias (Stephanie) of Phenix City, AL; three daughters, Dorotha Abercrombie (James) Columbus, GA, Kathleen Elias Johnson (Cassian) Boca Raton, FL, and Janet Elias McIntosh (the late James McIntosh) Colorado Springs, CO; eighteen grandchildren, Rolanda, Ronalda, Andrea, Latoya, Reggie, Andrea, Fredrick, Marquita, Justin, Jared, Johnna, Jenna, Quinton, Darrius, Zachary, Tyson, Jasmine and Jade; fifteen great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.