Mary Akers Bellamy

Mary Akers Bellamy age 86, of Squire, West Virginia passed away peacefully on, Thursday, August 24, 2023, at her home surrounded by her two daughters, Crystal Foster and Cheryl Ekstrom, and her granddaughter, Becky Foster. Mary was born on November 3, 1936. In Sylvatus, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Edward Akers and Reba Fields Akers. Mary moved with her parents and older brother to War, WV where he worked for several years for Olga Coal Company before beginning his own plumbing company. Edward and Reba raised 12 children, of which Mary was the second oldest. Mary often prided herself on having assisted with caring for all those babies! Mary graduated from Big Creek High School in 1957. She married Bill Bellamy and, after Bill completed his service in the US Marine Corps, they moved to Connecticut and had two daughters and a son. When their son passed away at the age of seven, they moved to California for six years, then to the mountains of North Carolina for four years, and finally settled again in Connecticut. There, Mary fulfilled her dream of graduating as a Certified Nursing Aide. She truly loved taking care of elderly patients, in nursing homes as well as the patient’s homes. Her own health limitations would later lead to her retirement, though she would often say how she wished she could continue working. After retirement, Mary and Bill moved to North Carolina where their two daughters lived. When Mary and Bill could no longer live on their own due to health issues, they moved in with their oldest daughter who was a retired nurse, Crystal, so she could care for them. In 2018, Crystal moved to Squire, WV, bringing Bill and Mary with her. Words cannot express the gratitude and love Cheryl Ekstrom has for her sister, Crystal, and niece Becky Foster, who provided excellent and loving care to Bill until his passing in 2019 and Mary until she passed. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Reba and Edward Akers; four brothers, Eddy Akers, Willard Akers, Ray Akers, and Roy Akers; four sisters, Wilma Jean Beavers, Frances Hallman, Shirley Parker, and Wanda Altizer; Her loving husband, Bill Bellamy and her son Donald Bellamy. A son-in-law, Mike Foster, and two grandsons, Frankie Foster and Eric Foster. Mary is survived by two sisters, Juanita (Nita) Stewart and husband James, Donna Lambert and husband, Andy; one brother, Troy Akers and wife Brenda Lee; two daughters, Crystal Foster, Cheryl Ekstrom and husband David; six grandchildren, Becky Foster, Don Foster, and wife Sarah, John Foster and friend Christina Terrell, Tiffany Sekel and husband Patrick, Sara Ekstrom, Kayla Ekstrom; six great-grandchildren, Noah Foster, Lilah Foster, Tyler Foster, Colton Foster, Luke Foster, and Emma Foster—many nieces, nephews, and extended relatives. A memorial service for Mary Bellamy will be held Monday, August 28, 2023, at the Canebrake Freewill Baptist Church located at 3665 Rift Berwind Road, Berwind, WV 24815. Family and friends will be welcomed at 11:00 a.m. and the service will begin at noon. In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Canebrake Freewill Baptist Church to support the vital services they provide to Mary’s beloved local community. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Tazewell, VA, is serving the family of Mary Bellamy and those wishing to express sympathy may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com .

Mary Akers Bellamy

November 3, 1936 - August 24, 2023