Rev. John Shelley Akers III

After a lifetime of serving God, The Reverend John Shelley Akers, III joined his heavenly Father on Thursday, April 17, 2014, at approximately 1:00 p.m. Rev. Akers was born on November 11, 1932, in Lexington, Kentucky.

John served in the Army, attended Transylvania University where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity, then graduated from the University of Louisville. He was called to the ministry and graduated from the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky.

Rev. Akers touched lives across the country and gave his life to God serving in the following roles and churches; as Vicar of St. Phillips in Harrodsburg, Kentucky (where he met his wife Sandy); as Asst. to the Rector at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Lexington, Kentucky; as Rector of St. Peter’s in Paris Kentucky; at St. Michael and All Angels in Dallas, Texas, where he was on staff as well as Chaplain of the school. In 1984 he continued his ministry in Greensboro, NC, where he was on staff at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church until his retirement. He was the first Chaplain and a recipient of The Distinguished Service Award at Canterbury School and continued his ministry until very recently, serving as Chaplain at Wellspring Retirement Community. For over 60 years, he touched thousands of lives, carrying his message of God’s grace, hope, and love.

Rev. Akers dedicated his life to serving others as a son, friend, father, grandfather, Chaplain, coach, Saint, and inspiration to countless people. Believing everyone was a child of God, he spent his 60 years advocating for diversity and inclusion.

His life will celebrated at a place he dearly loved, The Canterbury School Phillips Chapel, at 5400 Old Lake Jeanette Rd., Greensboro, NC 27455 at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2014. A reception will follow the service and the family will receive friends. A private family inurnment will take place at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church prior to the memorial service at the school.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his daughter, Aimee Akers Norman.

Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife of 50 years (this August 8th), Sandy of the home; his sons, John (wife Keisha), Alex, his son-in-law, John Norman; and six grandchildren, Allie and Katie Norman, Owen, Olivia, Harrison, and Hines Akers, all of Charlotte, NC.

One of Father Akers’ favorite books was “14,000 Things To Be Happy About”. We can all add one more thing to that list and that is, we all had a chance to know and learn from John Akers. He lived his life exemplifying the message in a note he received from Mother Theresa, “Be only all for Jesus”.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Canterbury School, or to Wellspring Retirement Community Benevolence Fund.

Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.