Betty Francis Akers

Elizabeth Francis Akers, known as Betty to family and friends, was born November 24, 1940 to Ira and Elizabeth Francis, passed away September 21, 2024, at Galleria Woods Senior Living surrounded by her family. She is preceded in death by her husband Jerry Walter Akers, who passed away in 2017 and her son Joseph Akers who passed away in 2020.

Born in Shattuck, Oklahoma, she was the daughter of a career Navy father and lived in various locations throughout the US during her childhood years. Married to Jerry Akers in 1961, she was a graduate of the University of Alabama school of Nursing and practiced for several years as a hospital and public health nurse. A dedicated mother, she raised three children in Birmingham and Vestavia Hills, Alabama and were members of Southside Baptist Church for many years. Mrs. Akers was a loving attentive mother and homemaker, who loved sewing, volunteering for school and church activities. In her later years in life, she enjoyed reading, going to monthly Lunch Bunch, visiting with her grandchildren and attending church at Vestavia Hills Methodist Church where she was a member.

Betty is survived by her two daughters, Jodi (Todd) Skaggs of Pelham, Cheri (Tracy) McCoy of Vestavia Hills, and her daughter in law Cindy Akers of Jacksonville, Florida; a sister Joanne Francis Williams of Columbia, South Carolina; six grandchildren, Laren Skaggs, William Skaggs, Mary Katherine Leos/McCoy, Sarah Leos/McCoy, Sam Akers and Natalie Akers.

Special thanks to the staff at Galleria Woods Senior Living and Southeast Hospice Network for the attention and care provided Mrs. Akers until her passing. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Anchor Community Respite Ministry at Asbury United Methodist Church, asburybham.org/anchor in the name of Betty Francis Akers.

Visitation will be held at 11 am, Friday, September 27 th at Vestavia Hills Methodist Church Chapel, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:30 am.