John Akers Jr.

John Sparrell Akers Jr., age 92 years old, a long-time resident of Cleveland, Ohio, and a more recent resident of Murfreesboro, Tennessee went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 9, 2017. John had been a resident at the Loving Care Supportive Living Group Home in Murfreesboro where he was loved and cared for by his caretaker, affectionately known as “Big Mike” (Michael Brown).
John, known as “June” by family members, was born June 18, 1925 in Floyd, Virginia to Dora Felicia King and John Sparrell Akers Sr. John had two sisters, Ella Helene Akers Ross Thurston (deceased), and Elsie Rita Akers Campbell (John W. Campbell).
It was a chance meeting on a bus, a young man heading off to serve his country, and a young woman, Doris Tolrese Nelson, a native from Roanoke, Virginia with a promising career in teaching. They wrote letters over the next two years and tied the knot on June 4, 1953. It was a union that lasted 53 years until her death in 2006. From that union was born a daughter, Cecelia Yvonne Akers Anderson (David E. Anderson) and a son, John Alan Akers (deceased).
John was blessed with three grandchildren: Solomon David Anderson, Elizabeth Maria Anderson Clay Elliott (Wesley Clay (deceased), Tracey Elliott), and Rachel Helene Anderson Golden (Antonio Golden). He also had five great-grandchildren: Jordan D. Anderson (Chelsey Contraras Anderson), Aryieka-Rayon K. Clay, Braheim T.S. Umstead, Tionnia N. Umstead, and Ariana S. Anderson, and one great-great grandchild, Isabella M. Anderson. His nieces: Joy Wilson, Constance Campbell Darden, Drema A Campbell Benson, and a nephew John W. Campbell Jr. (Billy) are affectionately remembered for their love and support of their uncle.
In life, John was a Corporal in the United States Army and served honorably as a supply clerk during the Korean War. Much of his early childhood was spent on the farm with his beloved grandmother, Ella King, in Floyd, Virginia. He took up residency in Cleveland, Ohio following his army career. With a new wife, they make a comfortable life for themselves while he was working as a mechanic at the Cleveland Press Newspaper company, and his wife a substitute teacher for the Cleveland Public School System.
John was also a foreman for the Teamsters Union and a long-time member of Shiloh Baptist Church where he and his wife served as deacon and deaconess.
John was blessed with many gifts. He had the ability to fix just about anything, but was especially talented in repairing cars, auto body repair work, and indoor painting.
The best memories of all was him being a hard-working father that provided for his family and was admired in his community. A special community that was much more like a family. Dad will be greatly missed by the 143rd Street Mt. Pleaseant Community, church members of Shiloh Baptist Church, family, friends, and extended family.