Athalea (Heath) Akridge

Funeral services for Athalea (Heath) Akridge, 96, of Lufkin will be held Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in the Elwin M. Gipson Chapel at the Garden of Memories Memorial Park with Pastor Mark Newton officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Mrs. Akridge was born December 13, 1920 in Commerce, Texas to the late Alma and Vernon Heath, and died Saturday, June 10, 2017 at her residence.

Mrs. Akridge graduated from Demonstration High School of East Texas State Teachers College in 1938 where she also attended college. She met Guyle Akridge at East Texas State Teachers College when she was a Freshman, and they became sweethearts and were married three years later while she lacked one year of graduating. She eventually received her Bachelor of Science Degree from East Texas State University in 1972.

Mrs. Akridge taught Mechanical Drawing one year at Port Neches High School on a special permit in 1946-47 while her husband was there coaching. She worked as a Teacher’s Aide at Slack Elementary School and Coston Elementary School. After getting her Bachelor of Science Degree in 1972 she became a regular teacher and worked at Hackney Elementary School as an Early Childhood teacher until she retired in 1991 at the age of 70. Mrs. Akridge was a member of Lufkin’s First Baptist Church from 1951 until the time of her death.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Tonja Akridge of Lufkin; granddaughters, Lindsey Jewel Akridge and Leah Heather Akridge of Lufkin; nieces, Dorothy Pemberton of Greenville, Sharon George of Clemmons, North Carolina, and Marylea Moore of Greenville; very special friend, Bud Weathers of Lufkin; and numerous other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 63 years, Guyle Akridge; sister, Rosemary Pemberton; and brothers, Jerry Heath and Bob Heath.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Wright, Bud Weathers, Steve Hall, Cecil Roach Jim Gray, W.A. Dempsey, and Harold Pool.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to all of the truly dedicated and compassionate caregivers that have been with Mrs. Akridge in the last few years.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, Building Fund, 106 E. Bremond Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75901.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.