Anne Akers Steel

With profound love and cherished memories, we announce the peaceful passing of Virginia Anne Akers Steel, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  Anne began her well-lived life in Ranger, Texas, on March 4, 1934, the youngest daughter of Mary Anne Evetts and Fitzhugh Lee Akers.

Anne spent her formative years in Anson, Texas, where she excelled academically and participated in numerous extracurricular activities. She served as Drum Major for the Anson Tiger Band and graduated as salutatorian in 1952. Anne continued her education at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas, where she achieved another milestone, becoming the first female Drum Major of the McMurry Indian Band. In 1953, she transferred to Texas Tech University, graduating in 1955. During her time at Tech, she was a founding member of the Delta Gamma Sorority. She graduated with a degree in Education with concentrations in English and Art.  She began her career as a teacher in the Lubbock Independent School District.

On August 25, 1954, Anne married the love of her life, Charles E. (Gene) Steel, at the First United Methodist Church in Anson, Texas. Following Gene's graduation from Texas Tech in 1957, the couple relocated to Pampa, Texas. Anne and Gene called many places home due to Gene’s career with Celanese including Bay City, Corpus Christi, Clear Lake, and Pampa, all in Texas, as well as Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey. Upon retirement, they moved to Tomball, Texas, to be closer to their children and grandchildren, eventually settling in Spring, Texas, in 2009.

Anne was a lifelong lover of education.  When she wasn’t teaching, she was volunteering for literacy or seeking out classes and study clubs for herself.  She returned to her beloved art in retirement as well, creating her own beautiful watercolors.  Anne had an appreciation for all Fine Arts and instilled that passion in her children and grandchildren.  A devoted member of the United Methodist Church, Anne was active wherever she lived, with years of service through the United Methodist Women.  Swimming, tennis and golf were among activities Anne enjoyed, continuing to play golf into her retirement.  Travel was important to her, and she and Gene were blessed to see much of the world throughout their lifetime. 

Anne was very accomplished in her own right, but when asked, she once wrote that she is most proud of the accomplishments of her husband, her children, her grandchildren and her students, saying, “Surely, I’ve had something to do with that.”

Anne is survived by her devoted husband, Gene, who resides in Spring. She is also lovingly remembered by her children: Gary Lee Steel and his wife, M'Lissa, of New Braunfels; Frances Anne and her husband, David Edwards, of Victoria; and Julie Marie and her husband, Emory Laningham, of Spring. Her legacy extends to her cherished grandchildren, Christopher Edwards (Erin), Stephanie Snider (Lance), Russell Laningham (Hannah), Travis Steel (Calynn), Rebecca Jenkins (Allen), M'Kenzie Pfeiffer (Len), and Katie Schultz (Drew) and her great-grandchildren Lance Jr., Riley, Noelle, Cecilia, Carlysle, William, Pierce, Charles, Olivia, Juliet and Matthew.

Anne was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Anne Evetts and Fitzhugh Lee Akers; her sisters, Mary Lee Headstream and Patricia Christine Sanders; and her great-granddaughter Hanley Lane Edwards.

The family wishes to acknowledge the faithful care and loyal friendship received from Jennifer Daniels. They also would like to thank Stephanie Shuttleworth and Jessica Hurd for their compassionate care of Anne.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate Anne's life and legacy on August 14, 2025, at 10:00 am, at Lakewood Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Lakewood Methodist Church, 11330 Louetta Road, Houston, TX 77070 or the Gene & Anne Steel Scholarship Endowment at Texas Tech University, Box 41081, Lubbock, TX 79409-1081.