Velma Marie Akes, age 82, of Xenia, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, surrounded by her family.

      Velma was born November 5, 1942, in Centralia, the daughter of Earl L. and Agnes (Mays) Meredith.  She married Forrest Smith in November 1961, and he preceded her in death on October 21, 1977.  She later married Edward Eugene “Butch” Akes on September 27, 1985, at the grandstand in downtown Xenia, and they shared 40 wonderful years together.

      Velma had worked as an administrative assistant, but her heart belonged to community service. She was active with the Clay County Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and the Xenia Fire Department Auxiliary, helped organize the Xenia Community Adults Luncheon, and volunteered at the annual Xenia Fish Fry. She also wrote a newspaper column for the Clay County Republican and the Wayne County Press, keeping neighbors up to date on Xenia news. Velma loved visiting with friends and playing bingo, and she and Butch were often out on dinner dates—most often at her favorite, the Skillet Fork Grill in Orchardville. In her younger years, she enjoyed painting with acrylics. She was a member of the Iuka General Baptist Church.  Her family and grandchildren were her pride and joy, especially Scott and Paige. She will be remembered for her quick wit and for being fashionably late, true to her motto: “They’ll wait for ya’.”

      Velma is survived by her husband: Butch Akes of Xenia; daughters: Pam Smith of Xenia and Ginger (Nick) Rasar of Lenoir City, Tennessee; sons: Norman Smith (Tammy McMeen) of Centralia and Timothy Akes (Rose Stewart) of St. Louis, Missouri; daughter-in-law: Danielle Akes of St. Louis, Missouri; 9 grandchildren: Scott Wooters, Kendra (John) Koch, Chelsea (Jacob) Oates, Paige Allen, Kristi (Anthony) Brooks, Brian (Kimberly) Smith, Talon (Megan) Akes, Tristan Akes, and Jonathon “Race” Rasar; 6 great-grandchildren: Elijah Brooks, Kara Koch, Grant Smith, Natalie Smith, Lauren Smith, and Quincy Akes; and sister-in-law: Nancy Coughlin of Xenia.

      She is preceded in passing by her husband: Forrest Smith; daughter-in-law: Kathy Smith; brothers: Robert and Walter Meredith; 3 sisters: Lorene Gaston, Mildred Owens, and Helen Dean-Gaston; mother-in-law: Blanche Akes; and her beloved dogs: Maggie and Molly.

      A funeral ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora, with Ray Barnes officiating.  Interment will follow at Peaceful Valley Cemetery in Odin.  Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.  Memorial donations are suggested to the “P.S. I Love You” fund.  Please make checks payable to Pam Smith. These will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com