Obituary of Daniel Akins

Funeral services for Daniel Akins, age 95, of Franklin, Georgia, formerly of Valley, will be held Sunday, June 16, 2013, at 2:00 pm (Central DST) from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with Rev. Mark Moore and Rev. Bill Calhoun officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, Valley. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 to 7:00 pm (Central DST) on Saturday, June 15th. Mr. Akins died Thursday, June 13, 2013, at West Georgia Hospice, LaGrange, Georgia. Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Snoble Gosdin Akins of Franklin, Ga.; one son, Ralph Akins (Emily) of Valley; daughter-in-law, Iney Akins of Lanett; son-in-law, Roy Tittle of Valley; step-son, Sammy Noles of Franklin, Ga.; eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, as well as many friends. Pallbearers will be Sammy Noles, Roy Tittle, Justin Tittle, Dan Akins, Mark Parmer and Phil Parmer. A Cleburne County native, Mr. Akins was born November 2, 1917, son of John A. and Tinnie Heptinstall Akins. He was one of the youngest members of this sharecrop farmer's family. He grew up in and farmed in the Randolph County area. In 1941, he moved from farming to working in the Chambers County cotton mills. Mr. Akins served in the Navy as a cook during WWII, receiving an Honorable Discharge in November, 1945. After his military service, he worked for West Point Pepperrell mills and later moved into the division of community service which provided snack services at various WPP mills. He retired in 1976 and then began managing campgrounds at Amity Park. He moved to Bethel, Alaska with his first wife, Daisy Craft Akins, where Mrs. Akins passed way. After returning to his home in Valley, Alabama, he later met and married, Snoble Gosdin Noles Akins. Their home was in Franklin, Georgia. Daniel worked for Heard County Garbage Collection from 1986 until his final retirement in 1991. In his younger years he loved to hunt quail, squirrel and rabbits; but the sport of fishing followed him very late in life. Daniel remained very active until after his 90th birthday when he began to struggle with arthritis and a decline in mobility. Following his 1991 retirement, he was happy to proclaim that he read the Bible through three times. He was a member of the Grayhill Church of God in Woodland, Alabama. Mr. Akins was preceded in death by his parents; eight siblings including Roscoe Akins, Mattie Lovvorn, Garfield Akins, Maebell Thompson, Foster Akins, Offie Akins, Clois Akins and Howard Akins; his sons, Ray and (infant) Travis Akins; daughter, Mary Yvonne Tittle. The staff at West Georgia Hospice took wonderful care of him in his last days. Therefore, those who wish may make memorial contributions to this worthy charitable organization in the name of Daniel Akins. The address is 1510 Vernon Road, LaGrange, GA 30240.