John D. Akers Sr.

In the early hours of October 17, 2024, during the brightest hunter's moon, God called John D. Akers, Sr. home to Heaven. John loved the Lord and was so ready to go. 

John spent most of his working career as a coal miner, both underground and surface mining. He was a survivor of the October 1951 mining explosion at Kayford, WV, on Cabin Creek that killed most of his crew. He was one of the four who survived. God still had much for him to do. 

He was born in Elk Ridge, WV, to Anna and Otis Akers on February 25, 1931. He was the oldest of five siblings; Roy, Tommy, and Jerry Akers have all preceded him in death. The baby and only girl, Rita Browning of Maryland, still survives him. 

At 17 years old, he married the love of his life, Nellie Elizabeth Gray, and together they built a home and family that has lasted 76 years. John and Nell were life partners and lived a love story everyone could only wish for. They had two sons and were devoted to them, John and Gary. 

Over the years, they lived on Cabin Creek and, for the last 51 years, in Marmet, WV. 

John and Nell were members of Diamond Baptist Church. They loved their church family until COVID and, later, bad health prevented them from attending. 

Everyone who knew John knew how much he loved the woods and spending as much time there as possible. He especially enjoyed hunting, digging ginseng, and trying 'fancy stuff' on his four-wheeler. He was a little bit of a rascal, and when it came to teasing and playing tricks on people, he was often the culprit. Every family dinner, he would pay any willing granddaughter a quarter for a back-scratch. He loved to tinker and was always in the market for a broken radio. Next to his family and being in the woods, his next love was for 'junk'; he could find some value in everything.

John is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, and his granddaughter, Kirstin Akers Guthrie. He is survived by his wife, Nell, sons and 'daughters,' John Jr. and Lynn, and Gary Sr. and Marsha, his grandchildren, Gary Akers Jr. and Cindy, Joshua Akers and Christy, Elizabeth Akers and Drew, Amanda Kelly, and Molly Steele and Matthew. He is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren and six great, great-grandchildren. 

By his request, his body will be cremated, and there will be a 'Celebration of Life' to be determined at a later date. 

The family wishes to thank Charleston Gardens-Brookdale for all of their wonderful care and love for the past two years. We wish to also thank Elk Funeral & Cremation Service for the final arrangements and the kindness they showed the family with care and respect. 

Elk Funeral & Cremation Service is Honored to be assisting John’s family with his request.