Peggy J. Akers

Peggy Jean Akers (Lauer), age 82, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2026, in Thomasville, Georgia. She was born on September 12, 1943, in Bay City, Michigan, to Bruce Engelhardt Lauer and Frances Louise Lauer (Fehrenbach) of Bay City, Michigan.

Peggy grew up in Bay City, Michigan, where she graduated with the Class of 1961 from T.L. Handy High School. She earned her associate degree from Delta College in 1965 before proudly serving her country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1969 in the Medical Department. Peggy later taught school for the U.S. Department of Defense in Rota, Spain, for two years.

In 1971, Peggy continued her education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southeast Missouri State College. She moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in 1972 and devoted more than forty years as an elementary school teacher with the Duval County School Board at Love Grove Elementary, where she touched the lives of countless students through her patience, kindness, and commitment to doing what was right.

Peggy is survived by her son, Michael Troy Akers of Thomasville, Georgia; her daughter-in-law, April Dianne Akers (Cassels); and her beloved grandchildren, Brandon Michael Akers, Julian Troy Akers, and Nicholas Cassels. She is also survived by her siblings, Patricia Parent (Lauer) of Auburn, Michigan; William Lauer of Cedar Springs, Michigan; Frederick Lauer of Wolverine, Michigan; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bruce E. Lauer and Frances L. Lauer.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on April 6, 2026, in the chapel of Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home, followed by Military Honors at Jacksonville National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Love Grove Elementary School for the purchase of children's books. Contributions may also be made at the service.

"Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord."
- Matthew 25:23

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.