Joan Marie (Dudley) Salers

Joan Marie (Dudley) Salers, age 60 of McCalla, Alabama, entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on May 11, 2026 at Baptist Health-Shelby Hospital in Alabaster, Alabama. She was born in Bessemer, Alabama on September 27, 1965, and was the beloved daughter of the late Albert Eugene Dudley, Sr. and Jane Marie Jones Dudley.

Above all else, Joan was a devoted child of God whose life reflected her unwavering faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. For the greater part of her life, she faithfully attended Woodland Hills Church of God of Prophecy, where she loved her church family and served the Lord with a humble and loving spirit. Her faith was the foundation of her life, and she carried that faith into every role she held as a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend.

Joan found joy in life’s simple blessings. She enjoyed relaxing while watching her favorite television programs, including The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. She was also a devoted fan of Elvis Presley and treasured his music. Joan loved traveling to the beach, where she found peace and happiness by the water.

While Joan loved many things in life, her greatest earthly joy was always her family. She deeply cherished every moment spent with her children and grandchildren, whether cheering from the stands at ballgames or proudly attending dance recitals. Her love for her grandchildren was immeasurable and became a treasured source of laughter within the family, as her children would lovingly say that she loved her grandchildren even more than them. Her nurturing heart, gentle kindness, and steadfast love will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew her.

She is survived by her loving husband, James Salers of McCalla; her son, Nathan (Katie) Salers of Alabaster; her daughters, Laura (Jason) Cobb of Bessemer and Amanda (Matt) Erwin of McCalla; her cherished grandchildren, Matthew Cobb, David Salers, Jeffrey Cobb, Sean Salers, Michah Cobb, and Kerrilynn Salers; her mother, Marie Dudley of McCalla; her sisters, Karen Hardin of Green Pond, Cheryl Burchfield of Mobile, and Melissa Smitherman of Green Pond; and her brothers, Albert Dudley, Jr. of Montevallo and Kevin Dudley, Sr. of Montevallo.

She was preceded in death by her father, Albert Dudley, Sr.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. from Woodland Hills Church of God of Prophecy with Rev. Jason Cobb officiating.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will follow in Shelby Memory Gardens.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Woodland Hills Church of God of Prophecy to benefit Camp Boothe tuition for children.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” — 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)

Final care and arrangements are entrusted to Ellison Memorial Funeral Home at Shelby Memory Gardens in Calera, Alabama.