Mother Julia Etta Akers

Life Reflections~ Mother Julia Akers was born in Vicksburg, Miss., on October 4, 19.09, the oldest of four children born to James Kaigler and Caldonia Marybell Kaigler. They all preceded her in death. Mother Akers accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in the Mississippi River. She was educated in a Mississippi schoolhouse and though she never finished school that never stopped her from learning. Every book, bible, or newspaper was an opportunity to learn. She met and married Alec Akers and to this union five children were born. She joined her sister and two brothers in St. Louis in 1953. Her husband passed away in 1958. A few years later, in 1962 her daughter Jean died leaving behind three small children, Lorna (7), Lena (4) and Larry (2) which she took and raised as her own. Her oldest daughter Gloria passed away in 2006. Mother Akers was employed by the Monsanto Company for thirty years, retiring in 1974. She united with Fifth Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Clarence J. Duvall, Sr., where she served on the Mother's Board until her illness confined her to the home. She enjoyed a 100th birthday celebration last fall, where she was surrounded by the people she loved. Her secret to long life was living a life of faith, being surrounded by loved ones and friends, drinking plenty of H20 and having a sense of humor. She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Audrey Robinson and Betty (Willie) Shackelford, one son Alex Akers; her adopted grand