Nancy Lee Akers Rhodes
Nancy Lee Akers Rhodes, 86, died at home on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Naples, Florida, after a courageous ten-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born on September 21, 1937, in Rocky Mount, Virginia to Wolton and Louise (Sowder) Akers. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Eugene Akers; sister-in-law, Brenda Akers; and her beloved son, Danny Brooks.
Nancy graduated from Franklin County High School in 1955 and after graduation, she spent several years working at Bristol Manufacturing. In the years following her children’s births, Nancy stayed at home and happily raised her family. When her kids were old enough to go to school, she became a beloved teacher's aide at Glade Hill Elementary. In 1973, Nancy began working at Hutcherson & Rhodes Law Firm and in the 26 years that followed, she worked as a paralegal and office manager. Her main job was keeping Dusty in line.
In 1997, Nancy and Dusty became snowbirds and began splitting time between Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia and Naples, Florida. In 2017, they moved to Florida full-time. Nancy enjoyed keeping fit by spending hours at The Players Club in Lely. She and Dusty also had a very active social life and enjoyed spending time with friends. After retirement, she once commented that “she did not know how she had ever had time to work-there were just too many other fun things to do instead of working.” Nancy’s greatest joy was spending time with family and friends at their lake house on Smith Mountain Lake and winter home in Naples, Florida. She was at her happiest in the kitchen cooking for her children and grandchildren.
Nancy is survived by her devoted husband of 41 years, Ralph B. “Dusty” Rhodes; daughter, Donna (Scott) of Sammamish WA: stepdaughter, Ann (Danny) of Troutville, VA; stepdaughter, Gina (Garrett) of Asheville, NC; brother, Duck Akers; sister-in-law and best friend of more than 70 years, Ethel Akers. Nancy had nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren: Ken Brooks (Katie) of West Liberty, IA; Tim Brooks (Kelly) of Louisville, Kentucky; Logan Cleary of Kirkland, WA; Chase Cleary of Sacramento, CA; Thomas Weaver of Glen Allen, VA; Ellen Weaver of Roanoke, VA; Draper Bender of Delray, FL; Quillen Bender of Delray, FL; and Olivia Bender of Asheville, NC.
A memorial service is being planned for this fall in Rocky Mount and will be announced by Flora Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Avow Hospice (1095 Whippoorwill Lane Naples, Florida 34105) or avowcares.org.
Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount/Smith Mountain Lake.
