Obituary of Cynthia Viola Walls Akers Hough

Cynthia Walls Akers Hough of Ocala, Florida, passed away on March 22, 2024, at the age of 99. She was born on August 21, 1924, in Grayson County, Virginia, on Mud Creek Valley Farm to George W. and Mindie Blackburn Walls. She left Grayson County at age 17 with the National Youth Association to complete her training as a sewing machine operator. At the age of 17, in 1942, she sewed tents for World War II at the Sunnyside Awning and tent located in Roanoke, Viriginia. While working at Sunnyside, she met and then married her first husband, Fletcher Akers, Sr. She worked as a machine operator making dresses for Kenrose Manufacturing in Roanoke, Virginia from 1950, till her retirement in 1970. A native of Whitetop, Viriginia, she moved to Salem, Viriginia, in 1941. In 1971, she moved to Ocala, Florida. Since 1986, she has been an active member of Memorial Baptist Church. Also, she was energetic member of the Belleview Garden Club for 40 years. She received a life-time membership to the state and national FFGC; along with a Hall of Fame membership for the work she did with the youth gardeners and Belleview Garden Club. In November 1981, she helped to organize the Pioneer 4-H Club and was a leader of the club for 23 years. For 19 years, she was Chair of the Rakes and Spades Youth Gardeners. Cynthia loved children and was happiest watching the children and young people achieve awards in both of the youth clubs she participated in mentoring. Many of the youth won local, state, and national awards. Many children received scholarships to the Wekiva State Park Garden Club Youth Camp, where she volunteered for 23 years. Nine youth (four from 4-H and five form the youth gardeners) received scholarships to complete college with her encouragement. To this day, she still supports both organizations financially. She is survived by four daughters: Marica Ellen Akers Batten and her husband Benny; Brenda Fay Akers Onorato and her husband Mike, both from Ocala, Florida; Sandra Gay Akers Reisch Silverman of Gainesville, Florida; and Charotte Ann Akers Gilbert and her husband Ollie of Stanardsville, Virginia; and a stepson, Wendell K Akers, wife Linda of Arizona. She has been blessed with 10 grandchildren, two step grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, 6 step great grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren. Preceding her in death was her husband of 32 years, Fletcher Leland Akers, Sr., who died in 1974 in Ocala, Florida; her 2nd husband, Joseph (Tuck) Hough from Belleview, Florida, who passed in 1996 after 12 years of marriage; and her stepson Fletcher Leland Akers, Jr. and his wife Leona Irene (Petie) Akers of Arizona. Also, preceding her was her parents and twelve siblings, as she was the youngest of 13 children, six brothers and seven sisters. And a special sister, Vurlie who was a mother to her from the age of 5 1/2. Cynthia loved gardening and was a very hard worker. When she worked at Kenrose, she and a sewing mechanic organized and held devotions each Wednesday at lunchtime. She was in charge of arranging a speaker for the devotions (at this Jewish owned factory). She shared her faith in the Lord throughout her life. A visitation will be held on March 28th, 2024, 6-8PM at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home (910 E Silver Springs BLVD, Ocala, FL 34470). Her final viewing will be held at 9AM, at Memorial Baptist Church. The service is March 29th, 2024, 10AM, at Memorial Baptist Church. Her interment will follow at the Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens at 12pm, beside her husband, Fletcher Akers. In lieu of flowers, please send donations, in Cynthia's name, to the Marion County 4-H Organizations at the Marion County Extension Office: 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd, Ocala, FL 34470; or the Memorial Baptist Church Bus Ministry: 3693 SE 95th St, Ocala, FL 34480. Her children and all who knew her are invited to celebrate her homegoing. Please leave a comment as to how she has touched your life. The family would love to hear from you.