Akers, Velma Mabry

Velma Mabry Akers, 85, of Radford, Va., passed away Thursday, February 5, 2009, at the Salem Health & Rehab.

She was a charter member of Gethsemane Baptist Church and active in the Friendship Circle and Pioneer Group.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, George Heath Akers. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Sonya and Pat Regan, of Roanoke, and Kathy and Bill Benedetto, of Johnson City, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Katie and Will Benedetto and Lindsay and Heath Regan; and a brother, Drayton Lee Mabry, of Radford.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 8, 2009, at 2 p.m., at the Gethsemane Baptist Church in Radford, with Pastor Jerry Gibson officiating. Interment will follow in the White Rock Cemetery in Floyd County. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Sunday at the church. Flowers are appreciated or donations in her memory can be made to the Pioneer Group, Gethsemane Baptist Church, 2006 Preston Street, Radford, Va. 24141. The Akers family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com