Marie Akers Middlebrooks, age 71, of Valley Grande, AL, passed away April 25, 2011.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William Reed and Oniece E. Akers.

Surviving are her husband, Eugene Middlebrooks; children, Michelle (Jerry) Barnett of Madison, AL, Claire (Tony) Roberts of Crittenden, KY and Elizabeth (Tad) Somes of Level Green, PA; brother, Kenneth (Dianna) Akers of Loganville, GA and grandchildren, Lamar Barnett, III, Grace Barnett, Wil Roberts, Sarah Roberts, Trent Somes and Vivian Somes.

Funeral services will be Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church with Dr. Jerry Light officiating.  Interment will be in Pineview Memory Gardens with Selma Funeral Home directing.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, April 27, 2011 from 6-8:00 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Lamar Barnett, Wil Roberts, Trent  Somes, Anthony Akers, Frank Collins, David Sanders and Gaines Middlebrooks.

Mrs. Middlebrooks was a retired teacher who taught in the Selma Public Schools.  She loved living in Valley Grande and served as a councilwoman for the Town of Valley Grande.  She was a member of First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and worked with the Women on Missions.  She was also a member of the Red Hat Society, UDC, Book Study Club and Joy Group.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to be given to First Baptist Church Renovation Fund, P. O. Box 1186, Selma, AL 36702 or Mississippi University for Women, 1100 South 2nd Avenue, Columbus, MS  39701-5802.

You may go online to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign guest book at http://www.selmafuneralhome.com/.