Julia O. Akers

Julia O. Akers, 86, of Elliston, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 7, 2012, surrounded by her sons. Julia was born on July 17, 1926 in Hagerstown, MD to John Daniel and Mary Lee Overstreet, but spent most of her childhood in Salem, VA. She married Gordon L. Akers on January 31, 1945. She enjoyed meeting and working with people in many different capacities including her work as a secretary at Elliston-Lafayette Elementary School, a secretary at the VA Medical Center, and as a Roanoke area realtor, a career that allowed her to use her great passion for helping others. Julia was longtime member of Lafayette United Methodist Church and the Roanoke Chapter, National Railroad Historical Society. Her husband, Gordon, preceded her in death in 2003. She was also predeceased by her mother and father; four brothers; and four sisters. Julia is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Lynn and Sandy Akers, Jerry and Vickie Akers, all of Salem, and Chuck Akers and Lisa Stoneman of Roanoke; grandchildren, Matt Akers and wife, Jennifer, Jesse Akers, and Haley Cook and husband, Jesse; great-grandchildren, Bella Akers, Jonah Akers, and Lily Grace Cook; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Clovis and Mary Akers and Boyd and Marie Akers. Special thanks to caregivers Carolyn Hackney and Katie Bradford who made her last few years at home so pleasant. The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 9, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 10, 2012 at 11 a.m. in the funeral homes chapel with Pastor Brian Gordon officiating. Entombment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. An online guestbook is available at www.johnmoakey.com. The Akers family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, 540-389-54441.