Lisa Crawford Akers Named 2026 Christmas Mother
| By Jennifer Bailey
Staff Writer |
Clifton Forge, VA (Sept. 18, 2026)— Early this afternoon, the Historic Masonic Theatre, located at 510 Main Street in Clifton Forge, hosted a special luncheon in the WestRock room to name the 2026 Christmas Mother: Lisa Crawford Akers.
Courtesy of the Alleghany Highlands Christmas Mother program, her bio reads:
"Lisa Akers has been named the 2026 Christmas Mother for the Alleghany Highlands. Lisa is a lifetime resident with deep roots in the Alleghany Highlands. She proudly serves as the second-generation owner of Crawford Photography, celebrating 50 years next year, carrying on the legacy of quality and trust established by her father, the late Jim Crawford. Sher serves as the photographer for most of the local schools and sports leagues giving her connections with many local families over the years.
Lisa is a member of Fincastle Baptist Church and attends the Highlands Campus. She is on the board of directors for Olde Town Covington and a member of the Virginia Professional Photographers and Professional Photographers of America. Away from the camera she enjoys time with her husband Jason, a teacher in the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools. They are the proud parents of two grown sons: Austin, a Virginia Tech alumnus who now resides in Raleigh, NC and is to be married on September 25th, and Sammy a James Madison University alumnus living in Virginia Beach, VA working and serving in the VB Fellows Program.
The Highlands Christmas Mother program serves Covington, Clifton Forge, Iron Gate and Alleghany County. The program helps hundreds of families in the Alleghany Highlands during the Christmas season. The organization, established in 1941, is a 501(c)3 and operates on contributions from businesses, organizations and individuals."
To submit an application to the Christmas Mother, they will be received on November 2 from 12:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church, located at 414 West Main Street in Clifton Forge and at the same location on November 4 from 10:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. In Covington, applications will be received at First Christian Church, located at 231 East Fudge Street on November 5 from 12:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m., and again on November 6 from 10:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.
The shop will be at First Christian Church, located at 231 East Fudge Street in Covington and will be open from November 30—December 4 from 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m., and again from December 7—December 11, also from 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.
Distribution will be on December 15—16 at First Christian Church on 231 East Fudge Street.
For additional information, contact the Highlands Christmas Mother at 540-529-8922, by email at highlandschristmasmother49@gmail.com, or by visiting their website at highlandschristmasmother.org. |  | The 2025 Christmas Mother, Rachael Thompson, happily pins 2026 Christmas Mother, Lisa Crawford Akers during this afternoon's luncheon held in the Historic Masonic Theatre's WestRock room.
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|  | Several Christmas Mothers from years' past came to this afternoon's luncheon to celebrate the newest member of an elite group of amazing women. They are:
(Seated, L to R) Mrs. Terry Fridley (1976), Mrs. Martha Nicholson (2005), Mrs. Marie Fitzpatrick (2016), Mrs. Lisa Crawford Akers (2026), Mrs. Rachael G. Thompson (2025), Dr. Susan Rollinson (2021), and Mrs. Betsy Arritt (1996).
(2nd Row, L to R) Mrs. Lang Wilson (2004), Mrs. Lynda Thompson (2007), Mrs. Libby Burger (2017), Mrs. Ingrid W. Barber (2024), Mrs. Brenda Linkenhoker (2020), and Mrs. Anne Wright (1989).
(3rd Row, L to R) Mrs. Michele Wright (2018), Mrs. Teresa Hammond (2013), Mrs. Mary Asma (2022), Mrs. Dianne Garcia (1994), Mrs. Lisa Schoppmeyer (2015), and Mrs. Marva Sellers (2008).
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