Nellie Elizabeth Gray Akers

Nellie Elizabeth Gray Akers

The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy chapter 4, verse 7-9, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing. Do your best to come to me quickly…”

On the evening of February 18, 2025, Nellie Elizabeth Gray Akers answered that call, finished her race, and kept her faith until the end. Nell was born on September 15, 1928, the oldest of 11 children, to Lovell and Elizabeth Maynard Gray in McDunn, WV. 

She graduated from Marshfork High School and went to work at the company store. There, she met the love of her life, John DeWitt Akers Sr. They established their home, and their love story continued for more than 76 years until John went to meet Jesus on October 17, 2024.  

John and Nell had two sons, John Jr. and Gary Sr., who they adored. 

When the boys went to school, Nell went to work at Charleston National Bank, where she worked until her retirement at age 65.

For the last 30 years, she took her role as a wife and mother very seriously. Keeping John in line, which sometimes felt like a full-time job itself. Baking and cooking were her favorite things to do, and she excelled at them. The cookies, cakes, and pies she created will always be the gold standard for her daughters-in-law and granddaughters. Her kitchen floor never went un-mopped, nor did John’s underwear go un-ironed. She loved painting ceramics and collecting teapots and Precious Moments. She was a master-seamstress and had been known to whip up a pair of pajamas from a couple of standard bath towels when the need arose. She believed everything should be fair, down to the penny. She wouldn’t go to bed without reading her Bible.  

She and John loved to go to camp in Seebert, WV with their friends Maurice 'Fitz' and Violet Fitzpatrick, who were waiting for them in paradise. Nell and John were members of Diamond Baptist Church where she was active with the Women’s Ministry. They loved their church family as their own for many years, until COVID kept them homebound. 

They made their home at Ronda on Cabin Creek, WV, for 25 years, where they started their family, then lived in Marmet, WV, for over 50 years before spending the last two at Brookdale Charleston Gardens, where they found another family to love them.  

Nellie is survived by her sons and 'daughters,' John & Lynn Akers and Gary & Marsha Akers; grandchildren, Gary Akers Jr. & Cindy, Joshua Akers & Christy, Elizabeth Akers & Drew, Amanda Kelly, Molly Steele & Matthew; 13 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; her sister Linda Fish and brother Kenneth Gray & Brenda, and her sister-in-law Rita Browning.

Many, many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her husband John D. Akers, Sr., granddaughter Kirstin Akers Guthrie, her parents Lovell & Elizabeth Gray, and siblings Georgia Kemper, Maxine Akers, Loma Hunter, Vickie Bostic, Sonny, Bob, Roger and James Gray. 

Her body has been cremated and there will be a memorial service for Nell and John at the Diamond Baptist Church in the spring. 

The family wants to thank the Brookdale Charleston Gardens and all of their employees who took such wonderful care of John and Nellie these last two years and became family for all of us. There is no way to accurately express our gratitude. 

And a special thank you to Dr. Jonathan Lilly, nurse Julie, and Dunbar Medical Associates, for keeping them healthy over the past 20+ years. We love you all.

Lastly, thank you to Elk Funeral and Cremation Service for their kindness during this time of transition to Glory.