Rev. B. C. Akers

Rev. B. C. Akers, 81, of Waynesboro, husband of Mary Lee H. Akers, passed away March 9, 2016 at his residence. Rev. Akers was born September 28, 1934 in Atlanta, GA, the son of the late Bowden C. Akers and Lucille Glenn Akers Fleming. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Frances Harper Akers, his daughter, Mary Alice Florey; brother, David Akers; stepbrother, Paul Hudson and a special brother-in-law, Al Strickland. He was a graduate of Stetson University and held a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also completed the Chaplaincy Program at the former Richmond Memorial Hospital. He was ordained in 1963 at Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC and served as Music Director at First Baptist Church in Kissimmee, FL and Calvary Baptist in Raleigh, NC. He served as Pastor of Connaritsa Baptist Church in North Carolina and Western Branch Baptist Church in Suffolk, VA and for 28 years at his last church in Waynesboro. After retirement from full-time ministry he served as Pastoral Care Ministry Coordinator at First Baptist Church in Waynesboro for 11 years. In addition, he served as President of the Waynesboro Ministers Association and chaired several committees and served as Moderator of the Augusta Baptist Association. He served on the Board of Directors of CURE, as a Counselor with Family Counseling Service, as Minister Advisor to the Virginia Lay Renewal Council and as a Representative to the Baptist General Board from 1990- 1996. He was a member of the Ruritan Clubs of Suffolk and Waynesboro and served on the Board of Directors for the American Cancer Society. Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Mary Lee Akers; children, Laura Lynn Akers of Bradenton, FL, Gary (Susan) Akers of Richmond, Sherrie (Ed) Burns of Waynesboro, David (Susan) Cupp of Staunton, Jamie (Danielle) Morrison of Waynesboro, Carla (Matt) Henderson, of Stuarts Draft, and son-in-law Jim Florey of Yorktown; grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Suzanne Florey, Sam and Jack Akers, Matthew and Grayson Burns, Kelsey Cupp, Kendrick Morrison, Logan and Abby (Pumpkin) Henderson, Drake, Mackenzie and Sophie Morrison; a sister, Glenda Strickland of Murrell’s Inlet, SC; special nephews, David, Howie and Steven Strickland and their families of Murrell’s Inlet, SC; mother-in-law, Clara T. Hoy. He was a man who not only had faith but lived it in every way. For those who knew him were blessed with his love, concern and his willingness to be there for anyone at any time in their time of need. He was a man of quiet nature but you knew by his presence and his hugs that he was there for you and your life would forever be touched and changed. One of his greatest joys was making memories for his family, be it on the serious side, family and friend gatherings or just the silly things of life that we will hold in our hearts forever. He will be missed in so many ways but he will always remain in our hearts forever and we will cherish his love always and know that we are better people for having had him in our lives. Many thanks to all who made this journey in the last year more bearable with your steadfast love and so many acts of love and concern. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 PM, Monday, March 14, 2016 at First Baptist Church, Waynesboro with Rev. Larry Jones and Rev. Barrett Owen officiating, interment will follow at Augusta Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Sunday, March 13, from 6 to 8 PM at Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes, Waynesboro. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers along with Rick and Collin Wheeler. Honorary pallbearers will be members of his Sunday School Class, The Holy Macs. Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com