Mrs. Leslie Ann (Shaw) Akers, 79, of French Lick, Indiana, entered into eternal rest on December 24, 2021 at The Tribute Senior Living in Prosper, Texas. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 24th, 1942 to Russell and Dorothy Shaw.
She was member of Tri Kappa, the West Baden First Baptist Church and Mount Lebanon Methodist Church.
Leslie enjoyed sewing, swimming, playing volleyball and golf and coaching volleyball and cheer.
Leslie married Charles Earl Akers on October 19th, 1963 and he preceded her in death on October 18th, 2007.
She was also preceded in death by her parents.
Leslie graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in Home Economics in 1964 and then received a Masters Degree in Education from Indiana University.
In 1964 Leslie and Chuck came to the Valley and began their careers in teaching and coaching. She was the cheerleading coach where her squads won two state championships and were in the top 10 in the state numerous times, and founded the Girls Athletic Association at Springs Valley where the girls’ sports programs began. This began her volleyball coaching career where she accumulated 597 wins and continued coaching after retiring from teaching in 2000. In 2009 she was inducted into the Indiana Coaches of Girls’ Volleyball Hall of Fame and in 2010 the Springs Valley High School Hall of Fame where she was recognized for all of her accomplishments while at Springs Valley.
Survivors include two daughters, Elizabeth “Libby” Akers Pancake (Tony) of Zionsville, Indiana and Kelli Akers Matthews (Patrick) of Prosper, Texas; an honorary son, Sebastien Cotte of Stone Mountain, Georgia; seven grandchildren, Allison Pancake Roberts (Logan), TJ Pancake (Karly), Trent Pancake, Annabelle Pancake, and Mackenzie, Mollie-Claire and Madigan Matthews; four great-grandchildren, Keonna, Kendrick and Elijah Pancake and Prosper Jane Roberts.
Her funeral service will be conducted at the Springs Valley High School Auditorium in French Lick, Indiana Saturday, January 8 at 1 P.M. with Pastor TJ Pancake and Rev. Randy McNeely officiating. She will be laid to rest in the Mount Lebanon Cemetery.
Visitation for friends and family will be at the auditorium Saturday, January 8 after 10 A.M. until the time of service.
The funeral ceremony will be live streamed and information on the link will be updated.
Everyone is invited to gift a short memory or sweet words to her grandchildren about Leslie. There will be a video camera set up in the auditorium lobby prior to the service.
The family requests memorial contributions be made in Leslie’s honor to the Springs Valley Education Foundation, 498 S. Larry Bird Blvd., French Lick, IN 47432 or online at https://www.svalley.k12.in.us/sv-alumni/svef
Arrangements are in the care of Brosmer-Kemple Funeral Service in French Lick, Indiana 47432. Condolences may be made on our Facebook page at Brosmer-Kemple Funeral Home or at our website – www.brosmer-kemplefuneralhome.com.
This is a courtesy announcement from the Knox Funeral Home.