Elizabeth "Lizzie" Akridge, 80, a resident of Clarkton, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005. She was born Feb. 2, 1925, at Bragg City, the daughter of the late Cecil Emerson Dildine and Mattie Irene Dunavant Dildine.

On Dec. 8, 1948, she was united in marriage to Wilburn Akridge, and he preceded her in death on Feb. 20, 1979.

She was a member of Gideon Sewing Club and of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include three sons: Dewayne Akridge of Birch Tree, David Akridge of Milan, Tenn., and John Akridge of Gideon; five daughters, Ellen Kern and Marie Waller, both of Gideon, Becky Waller of Kennett, Rhonda Martin and Karen Brown, both of Clarkton; one brother, John Dildine of West Plains; three sisters, Dorothy Ivie of Bradford, Ark., Dolene Jones of Tyler, Texas, and Janey Ford of Tuckman, Ark.; 27 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two daughters, Patricia Hardcastle, Elizabeth Akridge; two grandchildren; two brothers, Jimmy and James Dildine; and one sister, Rosie Lindley.

Visitation will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005, at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Gideon.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005, at Bradshaw Chapel in Gideon with Rev. Jack Allen officiating.

Interment will follow in Stanfield Cemetery at Clarkton.