Obituaries

Mr. William Hosie (Bill) Akers

Mr. William Hosie (Bill) Akers of 391 Cedar Lane, Halifax, Virginia died Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at Veterans Community Living Center in Richmond, Virginia. He was born in Floyd County, Virginia August 10, 1923 and was 85 years of age. He was the son of the late Howard Akers and Edna Reed Akers and was married for 58 years to Freeda Harman Akers, who survives.
He was a World War II, D-Day Veteran. He participated as a cannoneer on a 105 Howitzer in France, Rhineland and Germany campaigns. He landed on Omaha Beach June 6, 1944 and was wounded in Germany November 27, 1944 and was awarded the purple heart.
A retired jeweler, he was a member of the Halifax Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years, a lifetime member of the Virginia Jaycees, a member of the Halifax Lions Club, a boy scout leader and a member of the Halifax United Methodist Church.
Mr. Akers is survived by his wife of the home; one son, Neal Akers of Midlothian, Va.; one grandson, Will Akers of Midlothian; one granddaughter, Ashley Thompson and husband Mark of Midlothian; five sisters, Claudine Poff of Jacksonville, Fla., Ann Vaughan of Christiansburg, Va., Doretta Shorter of Christiansburg, Va., Lynn Hughes of Baton Rouge, La. And Peggy Reed of Chester, Va.; four brothers, Shirl Akers and Ray Akers, both of Beltsville, Md., Robert Akers of Salisbury, Md. and Richard Akers of Gaithersburg, Md.
Funeral services for Mr. Akers will be held Friday, October 10, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Randy Williams officiating. Burial will be private.
The family received friends Thursday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Halifax Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 513, Halifax, Va. 24558 or Halifax United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are by Powell Funeral Home, 1603 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, Va.

Mrs. Rosa Lea Jennings Smith

Mrs. Rosa Lea Jennings Smith of 116 Rosehill Drive, Apt. 30, South Boston, Va. died Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 75.
Mrs. Smith was born in Halifax County on June 26, 1933 to the late Mr. Oscar William Jennings and Mrs. Ida Sue Johnson Jennings and was married to the late Mr. Thomas Smith. She was a member of First Baptist Church on Ferry Street.
Mrs. Smith is survived by five nieces, Ms. Edith Cawthon, Mrs. Harriett Claiborne, Mrs. Rosa Wyatt, Mrs. Ida Jackson Brandon and Ms. Christine Jackson, all of South Boston, Va.; three nephews, Mr. Henry Jennings Jr., Pastor Hayward Jennings Sr. and Mr. Mark Jackson (whom she raised); 23 great nieces and nephews including the devoted Zina Green, Tangeneka Palmer and Michael Jackson; 21 great-great nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by one son, Mr. James Smith; two brothers, Mr. James Jennings and Mr. Henry “Ed” Jennings Sr.; one sister, Mrs. Mary Emma Jennings Jackson; and two nephews whom she helped raise, Mr. John Jackson and Mr. Jesse Jackson.
Funeral services for Mrs. Smith will be held Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 3 p.m. with services at First Baptist Church on Ferry Street with Rev. Hayward Jennings, Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Rose Garden Cemetery.
Public viewing for family and friends will be held Saturday, October 11, at Jeffress Funeral Home from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the family will receive friends at the residence, 116 Rosehill Drive, Apt. 30, South Boston, Va.
Funeral arrangements are by Jeffress Funeral Home, 2000 North Main Street, South Boston, Va.

Evelyn Martin Suitt

Evelyn Martin Suitt age 70 of 244 Woodrow Ashley Road, Timberlake, N.C., died Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at Duke University Medical Center. She was born in Halifax County, Virginia. Mrs. Suitt was daughter of the late Willie Herbert Martin and Erma Compton Martin and sister of the late James, John, and Joe Martin. Evelyn was a member of the North Roxboro Baptist Church. She was a member of the Women of the Moose, and an avid bowler, being a member of the Senior League Bowlers in Roxboro, NC and South Boston, VA.
Mrs. Suitt was a organ donor because of her love for others.
Survivors include her husband, Walter Thomas Suitt, Jr. of the home, one daughter, Susan Kay Martin of South Boston, Virginia; one step-daughter, Linda Suitt Harris and husband Stan of Timberlake, one step-son, Tommy Suitt and wife Linda of Roxboro; one brother, Lee Martin and wife Thersia of South Boston, Virginia; five sisters, Brenda Hancock and husband James of Halifax, VA; Janie Brooks and Grey Clayton and husband James all of Petersburg, VA; Betty (Bell) Martin and Judy Martin both of Halifax, Virginia; two grandchildren, Jarrod Suitt and Michael Harris ; two great grandchildren, Christina Harris and Virginia Harris; a number of loving nieces and nephews; and loving neighbors, the Harrelson Family.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM) Friday at North Roxboro Baptist Church.
A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM Friday, October 10, 2008 at the North Roxboro Baptist Church with the Rev. Ben Durand and the Rev. Herbert Brown officiating.
Memorials may be made to the North Roxboro Baptist Church, 115 School Street, Roxboro NC 27573 or the Building Fund at Theresa Baptist Church, 3919 Chub Lake Road, Roxboro NC 27574.
Condolences may be made to www.brooksandwhite.com.
Arrangements are by Brooks & White Funeral Home, Roxboro, N.C.