Mrs. Dorothy Ann Akers

Born in San Antonio, Texas, to Sam and Olivia Martin (née Martinez) on September 26, 1936, Dorothy was a happy child and the eldest of four sisters. She grew up bilingual thanks to her grandmother. Her mother’s family were among the original Canary Islanders who settled San Antonio, and her grandfather served as sheriff of Starr County. She spent her early years in Corpus Christi while her father worked on the ship channel. The family returned to San Antonio when she entered first grade, settling into their home on Clower Street.

Dorothy attended St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School and earned a scholarship to Incarnate Word for eighth and ninth grade. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, where she was a member of the Lassos—the school’s renowned service, performance, and spirit organization—and also participated in the Cadet Corps. She earned an Associate of Arts degree from San Antonio College and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1958.

She began her teaching career with the San Antonio ISD, teaching fourth grade and English as a Second Language. A dedicated educator, she received multiple awards for excellence in education and continued her professional development through advanced academic coursework. As a young teacher, she was an active member of the Selene Club—San Antonio’s first interracial debutante society—and a longtime sponsor of the prestigious International Black and White Ball. She was also an active member of Beta Sigma Phi since 1973 and the San Antonio Woman’s Club.

After graduating from UT, Dorothy met the love of her life, Floyd Akers Jr., a Navy man, on a blind date while he was home on leave. They married on April 8, 1961. Their life together took them to California, Hawaii, Japan, and Arkansas. They welcomed three children: Olivia D’Ann (Dee Dee), Kelly Jean, and Floyd Martin (Hondo), who was baptized over the bell of the Naval ship Prairie AD-15 in San Diego, California. After 29 years of service, Floyd retired from the Navy, and they returned to San Antonio, where they lived for the rest of their lives.

Dorothy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She loved traveling to places such as the Amazon jungle, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Spain, and throughout Europe—once even trying a brownie in a coffee house in Amsterdam.

She was a longtime active member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, where she served as an usher and greeter for 17 years. She loved reading and never let a day pass without the newspaper. She enjoyed movies—especially black-and-white films and Hallmark favorites—as well as mystery and crime television shows and game shows. She played Bunco monthly and delighted in winning. She will be remembered as a happy, beautiful, and caring woman who will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Olivia Martin; her husband, Floyd Akers Jr.; her daughter, Olivia D’Ann Akers; and her sister and brother-in-law, Sylvia and Norbert Laskowski.

Dorothy is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Norma and Dwight Hall; her sister, Martha Lucy, and her husband, Martin Rumfelt; her children, Kelly Jean Akers and Floyd Martin Akers (Hondo); her grandchildren, Isabel Hernandez, Chase Vick, Phatimus Akers, and Henry Akers; and her great-granddaughter, Amarosa. She also leaves behind many extended family members and friends who will cherish her memory, warmth, strength, and loving spirit.

A Rosary will be recited at 11:00 a.m., followed by a Mass at 11:30 a.m., on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church in San Antonio. She will be interred at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery alongside her husband, Floyd.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Vincent de Paul, St. Anthony’s, or St. Mary’s Catholic Church, c/o Floyd Akers, P.O. Box 1179, San Marcos, Texas 78667.

For those unable to attend the rosary and mass, please click here for a livestream: https://www.facebook.com/stanthonydepaduasa