Akers, Melle It is with a very sad heart and the most unworthy feelings that I have ever had. Good Lord help me that I may be able to fill the request of and write a short obituary of a dearly beloved Sister-in-law and I trust I am her Brother in the Lord, to wit: Sister Melle Akers. But whether I am her Brother or not, I feel she was one of the lilies that he came down in his garden to feed amongst. Sister Melle was the daughter of the late I.L. (Nick) and Lathania (Smiley) Clark. She was born Sept 16, 1878, and when God saw that she suffered enough to meet that appointment that He made unto man, on September8, about 1:00 P.M. I feel that God sent a convoy of angels to waft that spirit back to the bosom of God from which it came. Sister Melle liked seven days of being 89 years of age. She was united in marriage to B.K. (Ben) Akers, December 27, 1899, and unto this union was born three dear children: French, Dixie, and Forest Love. They all have preceded her in death. Love left three children to wit: Glenn, Robinette, Dana, Ky, Mrs. Bill Williams, Ashland, Ky, and Mrs. Junior Conn, Dana , Ky. Sister Melle had been in failing health for several years. She was unable to help herself for the last few months, but she bore her afflictions with great patience, for the past few weeks, she would suffer so much, she would slap her little feeble hands and praise the Lord in the midst of her pain and suffering, and beg Sweet Jesus to come and take her home. Then when she would get easy, she would slap her hands and say no, I am willing to suffer every pain that God wants me to. Some time ago, I went to see her and she said, Allen I have seen my Home. I know where I am going to, and all I have to do now is just lat here and suffer and wait until Gods calls for me. She told Brother Ben, that she was with her Dad and Mother and his Dad and Mother often and she could feel them with her. She said, I know they are waiting for me. Last Sunday I was sitting by her bed and she looked at me and said, is Ma and Pa gone. I told her yes she said they just come and stay a few minutes at a time and they don't talk just look at me and go away smiling. Ben and I have been together a long time we have helped each other, but now I can't help any more, but he still waits on me. I know that I have got just a few more days to stay with him, then I am leaving him with his brothers, and I wont you to see that he is treated good and taken care of''. I said, Sister Melle, I know that his grandchildren will be good to him, but as long as I have a home he will have one. Bless her heart it seemed like her care and worries was for him. She would have him sit beside her and she would all the time be patting his hand and cheeks as though she knew that she would be leaving him soon. On the 3rd Sunday in July after Communion was over at the church, several members went to her house and let her take the bread and wine. Then the sisters washed her feet and she washed one of their feet and it made her so happy, she praised God and thanked Him for sparing her to take the foot washing one more time, The next day Brother Ben said she told him to lay down and take a nap and she thought she could too, and when he awoke it was dark and she was sitting on the side of her bed laughing and said, You liked to have slept all night didn't you? I haven't been asleep and I have had the best day for a long time, I have just been sitting here watching, the room has been full of spirits flying around. Brother Ben you have been so faithful and God has blessed you with health and strength that you could stand by her and wait upon her like you have. I feel that God has a reward laid up for you too. Last Sunday evening, Sister Melle wanted to be taken to the hospital. They thought she a little better. Saturday Dewey Howell was in to see her and she told him to go back home and stay with his Mother and let Millie come and see her and he promised her that he would, but within an hour she dropped her head and fell asleep to awake no more until The Trumpet shall sound and the dead in Christ shall rise to meet the Lord in the mid way of the air. Then I believe Sister Melle will rise to praise the Lord forever and ever. Sister Melle joined The Old New Salem Regular Baptist Church the first Sunday in July, 1910, and was baptized by old Brother John M. Akers and I believe her profession until about 1:00 P.M. Saturday, and now she has gone to receive her reward. She was given off in an arm from New Salem to organize The Little Salem Church and she lived a faithful and obedient member until her death. The church mow has another vacant seat but I don't think the other members will forget who filled that seat. So Brother Ben, I pray God to bless you and hold you up and help you to see all the good things that Sister Melle saw and now to Loretta and Junior, I feel that God will bless and reward you for being so good to your Grandma and Grandpa, and to Glen and Leon, you were so good to come and help when you were needed. I hope God will bless you all to live a long and peaceful life together, and may God grant you to have the faith that Sister Melle had, and Arnold and Freeda, I believe that Sister Melle loved you as her own children, you were both good and kind to her. Children, be good to your Grandpa. You won't have him with you much longer. Be good to one another and love one another with great love that Granny showed that she loved you with in that letter that she left for you. Sister Melle leaves her dear husband, Ben Akers, one sister, Mrs. Willie Wallen of Banner, Ky, three grandchildren eight great-grandchildren, a host of Brothers and Sisters relatives and friends to mourn her passing. I feel that there is one more under the Alter ready to give the praise while eternity rolls.
Written by her unworthy Brother, I hope Allen W. Akers