Martha Rose Kalil (Akra) Benoit

MARTHA ROSE KALIL (Akra) BENOIT, 84, died at home after a brief illness surrounded by her five children. She was born on August 24, 1930, in Live Oak, Florida and was the daughter of Margaret Redmond Kalil and Ford Anthony Kalil, Sr. She graduated from St. Genevieve-of-the Pines, Ashville, North Carolina and attended Immaculata College in Washington, D.C. In 1948, Martha Rose moved to Jacksonville with her family where she met and married Joseph P. Akra, Sr. in 1950. For the next ten years, she taught piano, volunteered for charitable organizations, worked closely with children inflicted with cerebral palsy, and was instrumental in establishing the local chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In 1961, as a single parent raising five children, she established Martha Rose Coiffures, Martha Rose Gifts and acquired The Music Bar in the San Jose area. After retirement in 1996, she devoted her time to painting, sculpturing, gardening, volunteer work, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. A devout Catholic with a deep love for the arts, Martha Rose was an aspiring pianist and amateur artist whose works hang in the homes of many. She had an intense love for antiques and spent a lot of time collecting. The widow of Norman J. Benoit (1970), Martha Rose is survived by her five children: Margaret Akra Bulin (Jim); Nan Akra Conway; Joseph “Bubba” Akra (Karen); Bede Akra Warren (Grady); and Michele Akra Goff (Murray); her five grandchildren Katherine Akra; Kristina Akra Fitzpatrick (John); Kalil Conway Cage (Greg); Hunter Warren; and Joey Akra; her brother John B. Kalil (Tina), sister-in-law Renee Rizik Kalil (Ford) of Washington D.C., and many nieces, nephews and loving cousins.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 20 at 5:30 p.m. with a Vigil service at 7:00 pm. at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Avenue. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 21 at 11:00 a.m., at San Jose Catholic Church, 3619 Toledo Road, followed by interment at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida.

Please Sign the guestbook at www.hardage-giddensoaklawnchapel.com HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family.