Linda "Kay" Akers

Linda “Kay” Akers, 80, of Muskogee, Oklahoma passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. She was born on September 3, 1942 in Pittsburg, Kansas to Wayne Gray Gillenwater and Cyrilla Genevieve (Robinson) Gillenwater. Growing up on a farm in Kansas, Kay enjoyed hunting and fishing with her dad and their dog, Lassie. Always the caretaker, she would take care of the animals on the farm, making warm cozy spots for them to sleep on cold winter nights. Her memory was amazing. She could tell stories from her childhood as if they happened yesterday. Kay married the love of her life, Herbert Leo Akers, on February 1, 1959 in Columbus, Kansas. They shared many years of life, marriage and family together. She worked at the Beckman Company as an insurance agent until her retirement in 1997. Kay was a faithful member of Trinity United Methodist Church. She was a member and president of several organizations including: Delta Lambda (ESA), Insurance Women of Muskogee, Service League of Muskogee and United Methodist Women. She loved dancing with her life partner Herb, attending many Shriner functions and playing bridge with the ladies. Just like her mother, she enjoyed cooking and hosting family gatherings. Everything she cooked was delicious, made with an abundance of love. When hosting she hardly sat down, making sure everyone had everything they needed and keeping the house tidy. Kay cherished being with her family, and she’d tell anyone who would listen about them. She always put her family’s needs above her own - even comforting her loved ones in her final days. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Genevieve Gillenwater; her husband, Herb Akers; son-in-law, Donnie Wright; grandparents, Fred and Trissie Robinson, and Pleas and Tressie Gillenwater; dear cousin, Bill Robinson; and many uncles, aunts and cousins. Kay is survived by her daughters, Cindy Wright (Mike Houser) of Pueblo, CO, and Melinda Mitchell Tulsa, OK; grandchildren, Alyssa Villalon (Mica) of Austin, TX, Wesley Wright (Michelle) of League City, OK, Melissa Franklin of Tulsa, OK, and Megan Fitch (Bennett) of Tulsa, OK; great-grandchildren, Isabella and Mila Villalon of Austin, TX, Roselynn Franklin Tulsa, OK Theo and Lena Fitch of Tulsa, OK, Sarah Wright, Grace Wright and Joni Wright of League City, TX; dear friend, Delores Nelson; and many other family members and friends. A celebration of Kay’s life will be 10AM, Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at Memorial Park Mausoleum with Pastor Gwen Derrick officiating. Interment will follow with Wesley Wright, Bennett Fitch, Mica Villalon, Mike Houser, Chuck Paine and Gil Keener serving as pallbearers.

Linda "Kay" Akers

September 3, 1942 - April 19, 2023