Patience and Ryan Akers, along with their ten-year-old son Bentley, have built a life that blends family traditions, professional dedication, and plenty of fun—all while staying grounded in the community they love.

Ryan, who grew up in Chesapeake, Ohio, now owns and operates the family business, Akers Paving. His path began early, helping his dad, Joe, at just 15 years old, with summers spent working in the heat, learning the ins and outs of paving, sealing, and concrete work. “After 20 years of working alongside his dad,” Patience shared, “Ryan has officially taken the reins as owner and CEO. It’s a huge transition, but one that was earned with a lot of sweat and dedication.”

Patience grew up in the Salt Rock and Barboursville area, attended Cabell Midland High School, and went on to study at both WVU and Marshall University. Initially pursuing pre-med and teaching, she ultimately followed her heart into nursing. She now works at St. Mary’s Medical Center, primarily in the Emergency Room. “I’ve been there for eight years now,” she said. “I’ve also worked with the Medical Emergency Team, taught as an instructor for ACLS, PALS, BLS, and TNCC. I’m so thankful for the opportunities I’ve had to care for our community and contribute through education.”

Their son Bentley, a fourth grader at Martha Elementary, is an energetic, well-rounded student with a love for music, leadership, and sports. This year, Bentley was selected as one of only four students from Martha to represent in the All-County Choir in the fall and All-State Choir in the spring. He’s active in the Leadership Club and Ukulele Club, participates in school concerts, and plays in the Barboursville Little League.

“We’re so proud of Bentley,” Patience said. “He keeps us on our toes with how involved he is, but it’s a blessing. We’re also incredibly grateful to the Barboursville community for offering such a wide range of experiences for kids to grow and find their passions.”

The story of how Patience and Ryan met could only be described as meant to be. Years before they ever spoke, Patience’s mom, Cindy, and Ryan’s cousin, Stephanie, were in nursing school together and joked about setting their kids up after seeing Ryan’s high school graduation photo. Years later, fate brought Patience back from WVU to waitress at Bob Evans, where she happened to serve Ryan’s family. His mom, Cheryl, took notice of Patience, commenting on how “cute that little girl is” and imagining she’d be a good match for Ryan.

The true matchmaker, however, was Ryan’s sister Ashton, who told each other they wanted their number, even though neither had actually said so. “Ashton gets all the credit,” Patience laughed. “She made it happen in the most roundabout way, and we’ll always be thankful she did.” The two began dating in March 2010 and married in September 2013. Now, with 15 years together and 12 years of marriage, they’re stronger than ever.

Their family thrives on quality time and shared adventures. Whether it's whitewater rafting on the New River, riding four-wheelers, attending concerts, or traveling to amusement parks and sporting events, they love to be on the move. “We’re competitive in just about everything,” Patience said. “Whether it’s board games, sports, or even rock-paper-scissors, we’re always challenging each other and having fun.”

Their favorite destinations include Destin Beach in the summer and Tennessee in the winter, and they're planning a big international trip to either Greece or Italy next year. “We love to travel and explore new places,” Patience added. “We’re always planning the next adventure.”

With Ryan being from Ohio, naturally, our family is huge Ohio State football fans. The Family also supports the Cincinnati Bengals and Cincinnati Reds. “And of course, we bleed green for our Marshall Thundering Herd,” Patience shared.

At home, the Akers crew has a trio of pets—Brutus the pit bull, Hailey the chiweenie, and Bob the tuxedo cat—who complete the lively household.

Patience jokes that she’s not the chef of the family, a title that belongs to Ryan. “After Bentley was born, I had to figure out how to cook a few meals, and now my spaghetti is a family favorite,” she said with a smile. “Bentley says it’s better than Jim’s Spaghetti, but I’m not sure about that!” Ryan has recently perfected hibachi-style meals on their Blackstone grill, another highlight of family dinners.

Their journey to their current home was just as serendipitous as their love story. In 2020, they purchased a lot in Walkers Pointe to eventually build on, but in 2022, the perfect home became available directly across from it. They moved in and have since purchased the lot beside them as well. As it turns out, they live next door to Ryan’s cousin Stephanie—the same one who studied with Cindy and joked about setting them up all those years ago.

“It’s wild how life comes full circle,” Patience told Stroll Barboursville. “We’re so lucky to live in a community where family is close by, but we also have our own space and privacy. Walkers Pointe is perfect for us—we truly love it here.”

From their deeply rooted history to their vibrant present, the Akers family embodies the best of Barboursville: hardworking, community-focused, and always up for a little friendly competition.