Lelia Belle Akery

Lela Belle Akery, daughter of the late James Hoyle and Mildred Marie (Null) Burnett, was born June 7, 1938 in Pulaski County, near Dixon, Missouri. She went home to be with her Lord January 21, 2011, at Lake Regional Hospital, Osage Beach, Missouri, at the age of 72. Lela leaves to cherish her memory, four children: Gary Carmack and Ron Akery both of Waynesville, Terri Rivers of Ft. Drum, New York and Joye Legan of Laquey; two sisters: Emma Higgins of Charleston, S. Carolina and Eula Roam of Waynesville; 16 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, Lela was preceded in death by one son: Donnie Akery and her husband, Donald Wade Akery. Lela grew up in Pulaski County where she attended the Needmore one room school house on Y Highway. Her family attended the Needmore Church. At age 14, Lela began playing the piano during services while her dad played the guitar. On September 15, 1956, Lela was united in marriage to Donald Wade Akery in Waynesville, Missouri. They shared over 48 years of marriage together. Don and Lela moved to Colly Hollow in 1965 and they enjoyed their farm, raising five children, a huge garden and their livestock. She worked as a nurse’s assistant and central sterile technician at the Waynesville Hospital and the Richland Nursing Home. She also worked at Witmore Farms Restaurant for a while. Lela very much enjoyed singing, playing the piano, reading and visiting with her family, especially her grand and great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 25, 2011 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert with Rev. Danny Graves and Rev. Billy Claiborn officiating. Lela’s granddaughter, Natalie McCart, wrote a poem in memory of her grandmother and read it to the congregation. The song “Go Rest High On That Mountain” was played and Soloist Becky Lercher sang “Suppertime” and “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder”. Serving as escorts were Lela’s sons and grandsons: Gary Carmack, Nathan Carmack, Ron Akery, James Carmack, Jeremiah Keppel, Colten Carmack, Jesse McCart, Dalton McCart, Colby Carmack, Chance Carmack, Noah Legan, Levi Legan, Gabriel Keppel and Xavier Robinson. Serving as honorary escorts were Mike McCart, Gary Rivers, Terry Legan, Jerry Roam, Bill Fuller and Lee Hickey. Burial followed in the Centerpoint Cemetery near Richland, Missouri. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association and may be left at the funeral home.

Lelia Belle Akery

June 7, 1938 - January 21, 2011