Sweet, Sweet Spirit

Author: Doris Akers

Doris Mae Akers (May 21, 1923 - July 26, 1995) was an American Gospel music composer, arranger and singer. Known for her work with the Sky Pilot Choir, she was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Doris Akers was born in Brookfield, Missouri to parents Floyd and Pearl Akers. She had nine siblings; Edward, Floyd, Evelyn, Marian, Donald, Nellie, Bernice, Harley, and Charles. The family moved to Kirksville, Missouri when she was five years old. She learned to play the piano by ear at age six wrote her first song, "Keep The Fire Burning In Me" when she was ten years old. During the 1930s she formed a group with her siblings, Edward, Marian and Donald, who went by the name of "Dot and The Swingsters". Bethel A.M.E. Church in… Go to person page >