Bishop Jessie Ray Akers Sr, age 72 of Winchester, passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at St. Thomas Rutherford in Murfreesboro surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Camden, TN on August 24, 1949, to the late Jewell and Margie Johnson Akers. Jessie was raised in the Church of God of Prophecy by devoted and faithful Christian parents who wanted him to develop a relationship with the Lord at an early age. He graduated high school in Chicago, IL and attend Tomlinson College and Hiwassee College in Tennessee. He started in his ministry at the young age of 20, when he started preaching in Pennsylvania and Illinois before moving back to Tennessee in 1983. After he and his family moved to Tennessee, he would preach at several churches in the area including Winchester Church of God of Prophecy and Manchester Church of God of Prophecy. Jessie loved to support his community and several organizations in his community including Blue Monarch, Good Samaritan, Animal Harbor and more. He would also help those in need and did so in various ways. He loved to spend time with his family by going for long drives and singing music from the 50’s and 60’s. He also enjoyed cook outs, gardening and ministering to those who needed it the most. Jessie will be remembered as a sweet spirit, faithful in his relationship with the Lord, and a man of integrity. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife of forty-three years and mother of his children, Bonnie Akers; and five brothers, George Akers, Frank Akers, Robert Akers, David Akers, and Charles Akers. He is survived by his wife of five years, Michelle Perkins Akers; children, Jessie Ray (Amy) Akers, Jr. of Lebanon, Rachel (Michael) Coleman of Tullahoma, Adam (Andrea) Akers of Decherd; stepson, John Penilla of Japan; grandchildren, Elijah Akers, Elizabeth Akers, and Isaac Akers; honorary grandchildren, Christian Rojas, and Jayden Rojas; sister, Ernestine Hale of Dyer, TN; several nieces and nephews; and fur babies, Buddy, and Sissy. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 27, 2022 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday. June 28, 2022 at 2:00pm in the chapel at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to National Kidney Foundation or Church of God Prophecy in Manchester.
