Shirley Akers

Shirley Ann (nee Berlin) Akers, 86, died on Thursday, February 3, 2022, at University of Maryland Regional Hospital Center in Largo, Md.

Shirley was born July 17, 1935, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Erma “Maxine” Carlson and Gunnar Alexis Berlin. Her youth was spent running with cousins and using the Iowa State Capitol grounds as her playground. She graduated from East High and on her 17th birthday, she was on her way to Paris Island, S.C. to join the Marine Corps to support the Korean War effort, which ended by the time she was sworn in. She was honorably discharged as a Corporal following her marriage on February 25, 1955, to Clifton Henry Akers of Massachusetts. She cherished the adventures had during her time in the Corps where she met her husband. Her adventures included Virginia, Ohio, Hawai’i, Okinawa, North Carolina, Maryland, and Colorado. While in Denver, she retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Shirley lovingly served as caregiver to her husband, mother, and sister prior to their deaths. Her children were the center of her life, and she was up for almost any adventure to spend time with them. She spent the last nine years living in Bowie, Md., with her daughter Tanya Akers and Tanya’s partner, Lloyd St. Louis, where she was a mother figure to many living on Northrop Place.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Jeanette and Judith “Judy” Berlin, and her loving stepfather Frank Budrevich.

She is survived by her five children Michele (John) Marion of Atlanta, Ga.; Kim (Chet) Baltimore, Dawn Burgess, and Michael Akers of Denver, Colo.; and Tanya Akers and Lloyd St. Louis of Bowie, Md. Also, her 11 grandchildren John Marion, Elizabeth Marion, and Rebecca Cruz; Clifton H. Hinton and Amber Phillips; Ian Burgess, Meghan Shimp, and Noah Burgess; Jennifer McMillan, Christopher Akers, and Chelsea Akers; and 16 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to her favorite charities – Wounded Warrior Project or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

A private viewing will be held at 12:00 p.m. at Horan & McConaty followed by interment at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colo. on Thursday, February 17.