Charlotte Ann Akers Sanford

Funeral services for Charlotte Ann Akers Sanford, 72, Lawrence, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Coffeyville. Memorial services will be at 5 p.m. Monday at Independence Inc. in Lawrence. Burial will be in Restlawn Cemetery in Coffeyville.Mrs. Sanford died Friday, April 4, 2008, at her home.She was born March 17, 1936, the daughter of Howard Kenneth and Geraldine Mae Johnson Akers. She graduated from Field Kindley High School, Coffeyville Community College and Pittsburg State University, where she received bachelor’s degrees in sociology and psychology. She was a longtime resident of Coffeyville.Mrs. Sanford was a mother, homemaker, author, banker, and owner and operator of The Village Shoppe. She was a lifelong disability rights advocate and served on the Board of Directors of Prairie Independent Living Center in Hutchinson and Independence Inc. in Lawrence. She also served as mayor of Turon and worked to implement the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act throughout the area. She married Robert Earnest Sanford in 1957. He preceded her in death. Survivors include two daughters, Stephanie S. Sanford, Hutchinson, and Julia A. Ferguson, Turon; a son, Pete Akers, Lawrence; and four grandchildren, Heidi R. Sanford, Beth A. Ferguson, and Chloe I. and Maxwell E. Akers.The family will receive friends after the services at the church.The family suggests memorials to Prairie Independent Living Center in Hutchinson or Independence Inc. in Lawrence.E-mail condolences may be sent to theakersfamily@gmail.com.