Mary Virginia Akers

Mary Virginia Haynes Akers, age 94, passed away on Saturday, September 10, 2022 surrounded by her loving family and caregivers in her home in Woodridge Village in Monroe, NC. Mary was born in Fieldale, VA, on June 2, 1928.

After graduating from Fieldale High School, Mary attended beauty school to become a professional hair dresser. She was introduced to the love of her life, Robert Franklin Akers, of Bassett, VA on a blind date arranged by their good friends, David and Anne Akers. Mary and Franklin married on February 26, 1950 at First Baptist Church in Fieldale, VA, and celebrated their 70th anniversary in 2020. They moved to Salem, VA, in 1956, and moved again in 1970 to Monroe, NC where they made their home and raised their four children.

Mary loved the Lord and sought to serve Him faithfully at her beloved church, First Baptist in Monroe where she was elected and served as the first woman deacon. She served on several committees in her church family, always ready to help others. Mary and Franklin were active in the community volunteering at Loaves and Fishes and Meals on Wheels, and for three years they were named Volunteers of the Year in Union County. She also loved being a homemaker, baking for friends and neighbors, volunteering at her children’s schools, playing bridge, doing cross stitch, sewing, and spending time with her family.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband Franklin Akers, her parents, Laura Jeannette Richardson Haynes and Thomas Bernard Haynes, and her brothers, Tommy, Doug, and Donald Haynes.

Mary is survived by her four children Kathy Akers Hirsch (Mike) of Pawleys Island, SC, Robert Akers, Jr., (Dawn) of Matthews, NC, Gary Akers (Robin) of Chester, VA, and Roger Akers of Chapel Hill, NC. She leaves behind her nine grandchildren, Steve Hirsch (Lawton) of Charleston, SC, Justin Hirsch (Mary Douglas) of Greenville, SC, Michael Hirsch of N. Charleston, SC, Whitney Akers (Victoria) of Greensboro, NC, Austin Akers of Charlotte, NC, Dylan Akers of Richmond, VA, Jessica Loper (Ron) of Chester, VA, Isaac Akers of Alexandria, VA, and Silas Akers of Minneapolis, MN. She also has seven great grandchildren, Haynes, Katherine, McKenzie, and Rigby Hirsch and Cadence, Ron, and Benson Loper. She is also survived by her sister Gwen (Tommy) Farmer of Jacksonville Beach, FL, and her brother, Howard (Marie) Haynes of Williamsburg, VA, and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:30PM on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at First Baptist Church in Monroe, 109 W. Morrow Street, Monroe, NC 28112. Burial will follow in Lakeland Memorial Park. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:30PM until 2:15PM in the Church Parlor.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to First Baptist Church of Monroe, NC.

Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com

Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Ave, Monroe, NC 28112 is caring for the Akers Family.