Helen Lorene Akers

Helen Lorene (Helmick), Akers, 97, of Independence, MO, passed away February 18, 2026, in Sedalia, MO.

An only child, Helen was born May 31, 1928, in Turney, MO. Over the course of her life she came to be the dedicated homemaker whose devotion and attention to family and friends made her loved and cherished by all of those around her.

In her younger years, Helen worked as a schoolteacher. After her children were grown, she worked in the Proctor Elementary cafeteria and as office secretary for the International Association of Firefighters Local 781, retiring on March 1, 1997.

Helen was a member of the First Baptist Church in Excelsior Springs, MO and was an avid sports fan. She could regularly be found watching or listening to Royals and Chiefs games and attending her grandchildren’s sporting events. She loved spending Tuesday nights watching her husband bowl at the Blue Ridge Bowling Alley.

Helen had a great sense of humor. From regular eggs replaced by hardboiled eggs, cotton balls baked into cupcakes, or underwear flies sewn shut, Helen always loved a good practical joke. And even in her later years when jokingly asked to behave, Helen would reply ‘who, me?’ She also delighted in, and was skilled at, pulling off surprises.

Where Helen shone the most was at home. She was most proud of being Mrs. LeRoy Akers and referred to herself as such. As a homemaker, Helen was unrivaled at caring for those around her. Dirty clothes were in the wash seemingly before they had been removed. Ovens and pressure cookers were up and running early in the morning for scratch made meals that are still craved to this day. Friends and families were always welcome in her home as she relished hosting and entertaining. From game nights with homemade desserts and snacks, to Thanksgiving meals of 40 plus people in her modestly sized home, she was happiest when her loved ones had their feet under her table. Helen spent weeks baking and preparing for Christmas, making her cookies, candies, and party mix.

Helen was preceded in death by the love of her life, husband LeRoy, her oldest daughter Sharon Breshears, and her parents, Stella Woody and James Helmick.

She leaves behind children Thomas Randall Akers (Wynee) of Sedalia, MO and Debra Latzman (David) of Lee’s Summit, MO; grandchildren Cathy Sackrison (Dave), Karen Grove (Rick), Jacob Akers, Kyle Thompson (Trisha), Brock Akers, Kourtney Martin (Josh), and Hollee Moore (Dalton); great grandchildren Ryan Sackrison, Morgan Sackrison, Weston Thompson, and Harper Martin; step children Les Akers (Mary), Randy Akers (Kelly), and Angela Seetin (Danny).

Services will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Carson-Speaks Chapel, located at 1501 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64052. Visitation will be held from 9:00am – 10:00am, with funeral services at 10:00am followed by graveside burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Independence. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be given to The Independence 76 Fire Company, 220 North Lynn Street, Independence, MO 64050