Bobby J. Akers was born Dec. 23, 1934 in Summertown, Tenn., and became one of God’s most prized angels in Texarkana, Texas, on Oct. 16, 2016. At a tender age, Bob moved to Indiana where he met Louise and married her in 1957. Throughout their lives, they had three children and 1,000+ pets (taken care of as well as their three children). They moved to Nashville, Ark., where Bob worked at Weyerhaeuser and James Hardie Gypsum for 33 years as a mechanic. His work ethic was undeniable and he always did more than what was required of him in every aspect of life. Bob retired to enjoy the divinity of his self-made haven, which included stunning, multi-colored flowers of all kinds, various vegetables, and animals of all species. There was never a dying plant or starving animal within miles of Bob. Stray animals could naturally sense that he was a savior on earth and if they made it to him, all of their problems would be solved. Bob displayed his extreme devotion to God by nurturing God’s earth and animals like an angelic plant and animal whisper, inspired and driven by the Lord himself. Along with worshipping through his kindhearted care of nature, Bob was also a faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church and loved his church family as he loved his flowers and animals. Bob himself was a constantly blooming flower in an ordinary world: he tended to be quite and keep to himself, but the unmistakable beauty of his love and dedication to the earth as well as those around him was and always will be breath-stoppingly beautiful. Bob was preceded in death by his mother Bertha Bowie Akers, his father Tommy J. Akers, son Shane Akers, and great-granddaughter Kaydence Marie Atkinson. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Louise Akers, son William Thomas Akers and wife Angela of Texarkana, daughter Julie Lynne Dodson and husband Dennis of Nashville. Grandchildren surviving Bob include Adam Thomas Akers and wife Rachel of Texarkana, Amanda Straughan and husband Shawn of Texarkana, Cassandra Aydelott and husband Derek of Nashville, Paige Reagan of Nashville, Pamela Reagan of Berryville, Arkansas Nicole Dodson of Nashville, Rachel Akers of Atlanta, Texas, Danielle Roraff of Texarkana, and Caitlynn Roraff of Texarkana. Great Grandchildren of Bob include Cameron, Caleb, Kayley, Trenton, Isabella, Morgan, Natalie, Kylee, Kinslee, J.R., and Karleigh. Siblings surviving Bob include sister Jenny Belle Richter of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., and sister Katie Mabry of Lawrenceburg, Tenn. A host of other nieces, nephews, and family members also survive Bob.
He was also preceded by several pets, with which he is currently and contentedly smiling and playing, bearing in mind, “all dogs go to heaven.” Â
Services will be Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Nashville Funeral Home with Paul Bullock officiating. Interment will follow in Corinth Cemetery under the direction of Nashville Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday night from 6-8. You may send the family an online sympathy message to www.nashvillefh.com.
