AKERS Helen L. Slocum Akers, 97 of Independence, MO passed away, Thursday, Feb 10, 2011 at Rosewood Health Center at the Groves. Services will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel 18020 E. 39th St. S., Independence, MO 64055. Burial will follow in Wills Cemetery in Peculiar, MO. The family will greet friends beginning 10am, Wednesday at the chapel. Donations made to the Salvation Army 1535 E 23rd St S Independence, MO, 64055 or The Groves Community Hospice 1515 W. White Oak St., Independence, MO 64050. Helen was born August 9, 1913 in Delphi, IN to Charles and Floss (Stuart) Sieber. She grew up in Indiana on a farm, graduating public schools. In the late 1930's she wed Edgar Slocum, by whom she had her only child. They owned and operated the Greyhound Bus Station in Lafayette, IN through WWII. In the mid 1940's the family moved to KC and Helen became a fulltime housewife. She was active in many neighborhood activities and the local schools. In the 1960's she began working outside the home first for Emery Byrd Thayer and finally as an Estee Lauder representative at the Jones Store Co, downtown. She met and later married Ted Akers in the late 1960's and they moved to Harrisonville, MO, and once again she became a happy housewife. Helen's life expanded when she learned to drive in the mid 1970's. In the 1980's she began and enjoyed childcare in her home until 1997 when she moved to Independence. She enjoyed cooking, music and was an accomplished piano player. She is survived by daughter Jeanette Barker (Paul) of Independence; 2 sisters, Charlene Porter and Joan Rule both of Lafayette, IN; 5 grandchildren, Doug Weber (Deanna) of San Diego, CA; Phillip Weber (Traci) of Blue Springs, MO; Bryan Weber (Denise) of McKinney, TX; Buddy Barker (Annette) of Blue Springs, MO; Cindy Wilson (Roger) of Columbia, MO; 11 great-grandchildren Keegan, Chase, Kahlea, Kamryn, Logan, Blake, Alyssa, Brett, Jordyn, Lauren, Nathan. She was preceded in death by her husbands Edgar Slocum and Ted Akers, 2 brothers, John and Bill Sieber; 3 sisters, Margaret Bowker, Delores Thomson and Joyce Goslee. All who knew her will miss her smile, laughter, and spirit. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements; Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600) Speaks Suburban Funeral Home, 18020 E 39th St, Independence, MO 64051, 816-373-3600

Published in Kansas City Star on February 13, 2011