The Shadow
FOREST – Carlos “Buddy” Alonza Akers, 83, of Forest, passed away Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at his home after a long illness. He was the husband of Juanita Lipes Akers for 59 years.
Born May 6, 1926, in Elk Ridge, W.Va., he was a son of the late Samuel Price and Bertha Lee Tolley Akers. Buddy was retired from Kroger after 34 years of service. He served two years of active duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and eight years in the reserves. He attended Yellow Branch Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife and caregiver, Juanita, he is survived by his loving daughter, Sherry A. Richardson and her husband, John of Rustburg; his loving granddaughter, Jennifer D. Akers of Forest; special grandsons, John Richardson Jr. of Rustburg and Wesley Richardson and his wife, Haile of Monroe, N.C.; great-granddaughter, Kaitlin Richardson of Lynchburg; one sister, Catherine Bartley of Hurricane, W.Va.; special sister-in-law, Nancy Nicely of Eagle Rock; special brother-in-law, Buddy Lipes and his wife Harriett of Hopewell; special nieces Tammy Bowles and husband Jeff of Hurricane, W.Va., Mary Shepherd and her husband, Kevin of Appomattox, Mary Nicely of Fincastle, Leslie Smith of Prince George, Leeann Williams of Hopewell and Stephanie Smith of North Carolina; special neighbor, Pat Hubbard and family, and his “great grand dog” and sidekick, Bandit, and other special friends too numerous to mention.
He was preceded in death by his loving daughter, Carol Ann Akers, whom he loved and missed terribly; his brother, Samuel Akers and sister, Betty Cook.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association, 4504 Starkey Rd. SW, Roanoke, Va. 24018; American Cancer Society, 2316 Atherholt Rd., Lynchburg, Va. 24501 or a charity of your choice.
A celebration of Buddy’s life and faith will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Diuguid Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Timothy Wilde officiating and special music by Tory Bailey of Bedford. Interment will be in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor, at 2:30 p.m.
The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6 until 9 p.m. at the funeral home and the residence at other times.
Diuguid Funeral Service, Waterlick Chapel (434-237-2722) is serving the family. Online condolences may be sent to www.diuguidfuneralservice.com.
