SHIRLEY JEAN BLANKENSHIP AKERS, 70 years of age of Grundy, VA, passed away Thursday, June 2, 2011 at the Golden Living at the Cedars, Charlottesville, VA, following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Charlie and Susie Emeline Owens Blankenship. She was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and was a member of Greenbrier Baptist Church. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, former Dietician at the Grundy Senior High School.

Mrs. Akers was preceded in death by her husband, John Henry Akers, Jr.

She is survived by 1-Daughter: Belinda Lee Akers, Charlottesville, VA, 1-Son: John Fredrick Akers, Charlottesville, VA, 1-Sister: Darlene Blankenship McClain, Vansant, VA, 3-Brothers: Buford and wife Vivian Blankenship, Vansant, VA, Garney and wife Annette Blankenship, Vansant, VA, Jerry Lee and wife Sandy Blankenship, Vansant, VA

Also, survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by 1-Sister: Alpha Scott and 1-Brother: Gordon Blankenship.

Funeral Services for SHIRLEY JEAN BLANKENSHIP AKERS will be conducted Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kenneth Horne officiating with burial to follow in the Blankenship Family Cemetery on Lover’s Gap Road, Vansant, VA.

Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Saturday evening at 6:00 P.M.

Active Pallbearers will be Chuck McClain, Randy Scott, Michael Scott, Dennis Blankenship, Steve Blankenship and Mark Lowe.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Earl Scott, Jerry Blankenship, Buford Blankenship, Garney Blankenship, Staff and Management of Mountainside Senior Living, Crozet, VA, Staff and Management of Golden Living at the Cedars, Charlottesville, VA, and Hospice of the Piedmont, Charlottesville, VA.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com

Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Virginia is in charge of all arrangements.