Marshall Flewellyn AKERS

Marshall Flewellyn Akers, 86, died peacefully surrounded by his family on October 15, 2017. A native of Atlanta, he was the third of four children to Abner Flewellyn and Mary Lane Akers. Marshall loved sports and he spent his youth playing football, baseball, basketball and street hockey with his siblings and neighbors. On Saturdays, he enjoyed going to the old Buckhead Theater where, for 25 cents, he could eat lunch (two hotdogs and a coke) and see a movie. Marshall attended R.L. Hope Elementary, North Fulton High, Boys High and Bass High, graduating in 1949. While at Bass High, Marshall served as a quarterback for the football team. He was voted most athletic (1948) and he became the first four-letterman in the school's history. After two years at Clemson College (now Clemson University), Marshall enlisted in the Air Force. He served for four years as a radar observer and navigation instructor and was in pilot training until an ear injury grounded him. He was honorably discharged in 1955. In 1957, he graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Industrial Management. Marshall enjoyed a long career in sales. He sold school buses, steel, insurance and real estate but his favorite job was recruiting businesses to come to Georgia while working for Georgia's Department of Industry and Trade. In his 40s, Marshall became an avid runner and he was proud to have run in numerous Peachtree Road Races of the 1970s and '80s. Marshall also had a passion for writing, genealogy and Georgia Tech football. He loved animals and never hesitated to rescue an animal in need. In addition to his parents, Marshall is predeceased by his brother, John, his sister, Florence, and his nephew Michael Akers. He is survived by his son, Marshall Hurt Akers and his partner, Bradley Cook, of Athens, GA; daughter Mary Lane Akers and her husband, Jim Creevy, of McLean, VA; grandchildren, Siena Creevy and Lila Creevy; brother Lane Akers and his wife, Jean, of Purdys, NY; nephew, John Akers of San Diego, CA; niece, Nancy Akers Klett of McLean,VA, eight grand nieces and nephews; and mother of their children and friend, Winnie Wilson Akers. A celebration of Marshall's life will be held at Cathedral Towers, 2820 Peachtree Road, Atlanta at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 9. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association and the Alzheimer's Association.