Melba Akers

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Mrs. Melba Akers, 77, of Blytheville, passed from this life Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at Heritage Square in Blytheville.

Born in Blytheville to Rufus Otis and Iantha Rustin Wooldridge, she was a former employee of Randall Company where she worked in the press department. Melba loved going fishing, being outdoors, spending time with her family, friends, and grandchildren. She also enjoyed cooking, playing bingo, putting together puzzles, and watching her grandchildren play sports.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie Akers; four sons, Lonnie Akers Jr., Ronnie Glen Akers, David Lee Akers and Jerry Wayne Akers;

A brother, Otis Wooldridge; and

Three sisters, Ruth Ashbranner, Betty Sue Daughtery and Linda Lawson.

She is survived by her children, Joe Akers and wife, Tammy, Dale Akers, Susie Kirk and husband, Tim, all of Blytheville, Billy Akers and wife, Stacy, of Paragould, Connie Hutto and husband, Don, of Piedmont, Mo., and Debbie Goforth and husband, Brian, of Cullman, Ala.;

Four brothers, Bob Wooldridge and wife, Toni, and Don Wooldridge, both of Norman Okla., Hershal Wooldridge of Blytheville and Sterling "Scooter" Wooldridge and wife, Pat, of Gosnell;

Three sisters, Joy Riggs of Starkville, Miss., Becky Simmons and her husband, Gary, and Carolyn Gilliam, all of Blytheville, and Jane Frith and her husband, Bob, of Utah; and

Nineteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday 11 a.m. Wednesday in Cobb Funeral Home Chapel in Blytheville with the Rev. Mike Welch officiating. Interment will be private. An online register may be signed at cobbfuneralhome.com