2^nd Lieutenant Garland Akers [__-1917 - December 26, 1944] U.S. Army, was born to Millard Edgar Akers [October 2, 1875 – July 20, 1955] and Annie Belle (Abernathy) Akers [October 25, 1885 – November 17, 1962] either in Fort Bend County or Liberty County, Texas. No record of his birth has been located.  He married Miss Emma Gerhard on June 15, 1943, and they had a baby daughter, Elizabeth Ann.  He was serving with the 290^th Infantry Regiment, 75^th Infantry Division when he was Killed In Action in Belgium.  He is interred at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Henri-Chapelle, Belgium, Plot: A, Row 8, Grave 14.  Survivors include:  his wife and daughter who were living in the Deutschburg Community, Jackson County, Texas with her parents; his mother and father who were living in Angleton; and his brothers:  Travis, Forrest, Airis, Richard, Kern, Chess and Millard. 2^nd Lieutenant Akers was listed as a Brazoria County casualty by the War Department in 1946. 

Although technically not a Matagorda County casualty, the wife of 2nd Lieutenant Akers attended school in Palacios and her parents lived on a Palacios mail route. Even though he did not live in Matagorda County we are proud to honor him and his sacrifice on our war memorial.

2nd Lt Akers may have been mortally wounded Christmas Day, and died on the 26th of December 1944.  According to the unit diary there was a major battle on the 25th of December, but no battle on the 26th.  Unless 2nd Lieutenant Akers was shot by a sniper on the 26th of December, or was killed by a mine or some other means, the probability is high he died from wounds received on 25 December.
 

2 WAR CASUALTIES REPORTED HERE DURING WEEK

Lt. Akers, Killed

On Thursday, January 18, Mrs. Emma Akers received a message from the war department, stating her husband, Lt. Garland Akers, had been killed in Belgium. Lt. Akers entered the service in 1940 and had trained in Camp Hulen, camps in California and Kentucky. He was married to Miss Emma Gerhardt, June 15, 1943, and they have a baby daughter. Mrs. Akers has been here with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gerhardt, since her husband left a few months ago for oversea duty.
                                                                               
Palacios Beacon, January 24, 1945
 

Angleton Cemetery
 

Annie Akers rites Monday

Funeral services for Mrs. Annie Bell Akers, 77, of Angleton, were set for 2:30 p.m. today at the First Methodist Church of Angleton with the Rev. Louis Michols, pastor officiating.

Burial was scheduled for Angleton Cemetery under direction of Angleton Funeral Home.

Survivors include seven sons, Millard of Beaumont, Chess of Houston, Kern of Hampshire, Travis, Forest "Bo", A. O. and Richard all of Angleton; one sister, Mrs. Jess Pirtle of Sugar Land.

The Brazosport Facts, Monday, November 19, 1962

Obituary courtesy of Brazoria County Library System.
 

Mrs. Akers, 77, Taken By Death

Mrs. Annie Belle Akers, mother of four Angleton residents, died at 10 p.m. Saturday in Community Hospital after a lengthy illness.  She was 77 and had been a resident of Angleton since 1933. 

A native of Pulaski, Tenn., where she was born Annie Belle Abernathy on Oct. 25, 1885.  Mrs. Akers came to China, Texas as a girl, and lived there until she was married to Millard E. Akers.  Her husband preceded her in death seven years ago.

Mrs. Akers was a member of First Methodist Church, active in the Mothers Memorial Sunday School Class and Dorcas Circle of the Women’s Society of Christian Service. She lived at 719 East Miller.

A Gold Star Mother, Mrs. Akers lost one of her eight sons, Lt. Pete Akers, who was killed in Belgium during WW II.

Survivors are sons Travis, Forrest (Bo), Airis and Richard Akers, all of Angleton; Kern of Hamshire; Chess of Houston; Millard of Beaumont; 13 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Jess Pirtle, Sugar Land; a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Monday from First Methodist Church with the Rev. Lewis Nichols, pastor, officiating.  Burial was in Angleton Cemetery, directed by Angleton Funeral Home. 

Pallbearers were Robert Rice, Harry Owen, L. D. Pollock and John Fuchs, all of Angleton.  Harold Beal, West Columbia; and J. T. Suggs, Lake Jackson.

The Angleton Times, Thursday, November 22, 1962

M. E. Akers Dies; Services Thursday
 

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 3 p.m. for M. E. Akers, 79, at the First Methodist church of Angleton, the Rev. John Mills officiating.
 

Survivors include: his widow Mrs. M. E. Akers of Angleton; seven sons, M. A. Akers of Beaumont, Chess Akers of Houston, W. K. Akers of Alvin, Travis Akers of Angleton, A. O. Akers of Angleton, Richard P. Akers of Angleton, and F. G. Akers of Lake Jackson; A sister, Mrs. J. W. Correll of Roanoke, Virginia; four brothers, R. E. Akers, P. D. Akers, S. G. Akers, E. G. Akers all of Rocky Mountain, Virginia; 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
 

Akers, a graduate of Texas A. & M. and a civil engineer, worked for the State Highway Department from 1924 until his retirement. He was born in Callaway, Virginia, on October 2, 1875.
 

Burial will be held in the Angleton Cemetery, Angleton Funeral Home directing.

The Brazosport Facts, Wednesday, July 20, 1955

Obituary courtesy of Brazoria County Library System.
 

Funeral Services Scheduled Today

For M. E. Akers

Funeral services for M. E. Akers, 79, of Angleton were scheduled to be held at 3 p.m. today (Thursday) at the First Methodist Church with Rev. John W. Mills, pastor, officiating.  He died Wednesday.

Burial will be in the Angleton Cemetery with the Angleton Funeral Home directing.

Akers was a retired civil engineer.  He was a graduate of Texas A & M and was formerly employed by the state highway department.  He was born in Calliway, Virginia, on Oct. 2, 1875.

He is survived by his widow and seven sons, Millard A. Akers of Beaumont, Chess Akers of Houston, W. K. Akers of Alvin, Travis Akers, A.O. Akers and Richard Akers of Angleton, and F. G. (Bo) Akers of Lake Jackson.  Also four brothers, R. E. Akers, P. D. Akers, S. G. Akers and E.G. Akers, all of Rocky Mountains, Va.; one sister, Mrs. J. W. Carrel of Roanoke, Va.; 13 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

The Angleton Times, Thursday, July 21, 1955

Pictures courtesy of Kenneth L. Thames.

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