Lillie Laverne Akridge

Lillie Laverne Akridge, age 88, passed peacefully on Sunday, November 30, 2025. She was born on December 30, 1936, in Cairo, Georgia, to Pauline and Howard Barrett.

Lillie retired from the Polk County School Board, where she worked proudly for 27 years in Food Service. She was a lifelong member of New Home Baptist Church. She is best remembered for her love of family, food, friends, and fun — a woman whose laughter and warmth lived in every room she entered.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis Lee Akridge, and her second daughter, Debbie Darlene Akridge.

"Granny" is survived by her two sisters, Betty Ford and Jane Barrett; her first daughter, Julie Williams; and by her Grand-Family: Danielle DeConcilio-Starling, Bradley Starling, Lillie DeConcilio, Jennifer Kirsch, Michael Kirsch, and Hannah Kirsch.

A graveside service will be held at New Home Baptist Church, 901 N Galloway Rd, Lakeland, FL 33810.
Saturday, December 6th at 9 a.m.

To honor Lillie Laverne's memory, the family invites you to visit your local nursery and plant a Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow plant or a Poinsettia— something living and beautiful, just like her legacy.


Online condolences can be made at www.lanier.care.
Funeral arrangements were trusted to Lanier Funeral and Cremation Services, 717 Griffin Road Lakeland, FL 33805, (863) 687-3996

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.