Judith Akers Dobe, 74, passed away on Saturday, August 2nd, 2014 in Salem. Born on November 7, 1939 in Roanoke, she was the first in her family to graduate from college. Mrs. Dobe worked as a nurse and supported her young family while her husband completed his education at Harvard Business School. She raised four children in various parts of the world, due to the family moving every few years because of her husband’s job. Once settled permanently back in the United States, she suffered a stroke, which left her unable to write with her left hand. She subsequently taught herself to write with her right hand, and obtained a Master’s Degree. She was devoted to her children and grandchildren, and considered them to be her biggest accomplishment.

She is survived by two daughters, Margarethe Judith Dobe and Erika Kristen Dobe; two sons, Richard Conrad Dobe and his wife, Stephany and Christopher Joel Dobe; a sister, Mary Crotts and her husband, Hal; a brother, Frank Akers; eight grandchildren, Nicolasa Judith Dobe, Porterfield Swann, Marisol Dobe, Joelle Dobe, Erik Viana, Alex Viana, Amelia Dobe, and Richard Isaac Dobe; and three cousins, Louis Hylton, Janet Graham, and Billy Graham. She was preceded in death by her brother, Forrest Akers, and a sister, Linda Robertson.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, August 5th at 10 a.m. at Dominion Memorial Gardens, 7271 Cloverdale Road, with Chaplain Gary Kingery officiating.

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