Eskrine D. "Whitey" Akers

Eskrine D. 'Whitey' Akers



DANVILLE - Eskrine D. "Whitey" Akers of 704 Vandola Church Road died January 31, 2009 at Danville Regional Medical Center. He had been in declining health for several years.

Born August 10, 1931, in Floyd County, VA, he was the son of the late Rev. Waddie H. Akers and Maude Moore Akers. He was predeceased by a sister, Mildred A. Roberts. He graduated from Willis High School, Willis, VA Class of 1948. He was first married to the late Patsy Knowles Akers. He later married (his angel) Sally Hyler Akers. In addition to his wife of the residence, he is survived by three children, Robert Canada, III and wife Becky of Youngsville, NC, Sundi Canada-Moody of Raleigh, NC and Staci Canada Purnell and husband Joe of Danville, VA; four grandchildren, Ryan Canada of Roanoke, VA, Ryan Moody of Raleigh, NC, and Ethan and Emily Purnell of Danville, VA.

He was a member of Duncan Chapel Church of the Brethren in Willis, VA for many years and then became a member of Vandola Baptist Church. He and his wife were members of the Vandola Church Keenagers which they enjoyed so much. He served in the Korean War 1952-1953. He attended Greer Shop Training in Chicago, Ill. in 1954 and 1955 where he got a diploma in refrigeration and air conditioning. He came to Danville in 1955 and worked for Link Watson Corp. for 15 years as service technician and service manager. He then started his own company, Akers Heating and Air Conditioning Service, Inc. which he operated for 30 years and retired.

He attended several schools in the field of heating and air conditioning. He attended Danville Commu-nity College (DCC) in a course of basic electricity and electronics. He served on the Board of Directors at DCC in the Heating and Air Conditioning Department, was a member of Westover Hills Volunteer Fire Dept. for 28 years where he served as Captain, Lieutenant and Chief and on the Board of Directors was voted honorary life time member, served on the Board of Directors at the Bachelors Hall Volunteer Fire Department and voted honorary life time member, was a member of the American Legion Post 325 and VFW Post 647.

The funeral service will be at Vandola Baptist Church, 1950 Vandola Church Road on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Rick Lancaster and Rev. Bob Yeaman officiating. The family will receive friends at Vandola Baptist Church from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2009. Swicegood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

After the service at Vandola, his remains will be taken to Maberry Funeral Home in Floyd, VA where a service will be held in the chapel on Friday, February 6 at 1:00 p.m. by Rev. Roy Turpin and Rev. Ralph Duncan officiating. The family will receive friends two hours before the service. Interment will be in Jacksonville Cemetery with military rites by Floyd VFW and American Legion.

The family requests that memorials be given to the Bachelors Hall Volunteer Fire Department, 1301 Berry Hill Road, Danville, VA 24541 and Vandola Baptist Church, 1950 Vandola Church Road, Danville, VA 24541.

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