Earshel Akridge, 67, son of the late Hershel Akridge and Katherine Tanner Akridge, was born on Dec. 5, 1945, at Gideon and died at his residence near Parma on April 8, 2013.
Mr. Akridge was a former farmer and mechanic. He was a resident of rural Parma.
He was united in marriage to Thelma Jean Edwards on June 29, 1969, at Dexter. Mrs. Akridge preceded him in death on Jan. 16, 1992.
He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Tracy and Michelle Akridge of Parma; by one daughter, Tonya Akridge of Parma; by three grandchildren, Tristen Akridge, Landon Akridge, and Jaxon Akridge; by three brothers, Freddie Akridge of Parma, John Akridge of Memphis, Tenn.; and Ricky Akridge of Howenwald, Tenn.; by seven sisters, Geraldine Koidan of Oroville, Calif., Lola Barks of Dexter, Betty Lawson of Fordland, Linda Parker of Independence, Joyce Haddock of Waynesboro, Tenn., Sherry Decker of New Madrid, and Kathy Schaffer of Knoxville, Tenn.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Kenny Akridge and two sisters, Stella Simmons and Joan Akridge.
Visitation will be held at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter from 5 until 8 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2013. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, April 12, 2013, in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home with Rev. Jimmy Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in the Stanfield Cemetery near Clarkton.