Obituary of H C Akins

HC Akins passed away peacefully at his Miller Grove home Sunday morning, February 17, 2013 with his family by his side at the age of 91. He was born June 30, 1921 in Miller Grove, Texas to Albert Braxton Akins and Mattie Mae Burns Akins. HC graduated from Miller Grove High School in 1939 where he was on the track and basketball teams. In 1941 he received his teaching certificate from East Texas State Teachers College. He became a teacher at Greenbriar School before he was drafted into the United States Army in 1942. He was an Army Staff Sergeant serving in the South Pacific during World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart. After his military service, he resumed teaching as well as coaching basketball in Jayton, Texas. He married the love of his life, Mary Lou Ferguson, November 25, 1943. In 1946 HC and Mary Lou moved to Dallas where he became employed with Sears & Roebuck. Later, the first of their two daughters, Linda Kay, was born, followed by Carol Ann two years later. He retired from Sears & Roebuck in 1983 after 37 years of employment. Their Miller Grove home was built in 1972, and they moved from Dallas back to Miller Grove full time in 1977. He was always very active in the Methodist church, first at Brandon Avenue Methodist Church in Dallas and later at Miller Grove United Methodist Church. HC was preceded in death by his father and mother and daughter, Linda Kay Lowrey. He was also preceded by brothers, Albert, Fred, Leroy and Freeman. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou, of Miller Grove; daughter Carol Dunn and her husband Billy of Miller Grove, son-in-law Jerry Lowrey of Red Oak; grandchildren Michael Anthony and his wife Tammy of Red Oak, Kellie Rowbotham and her husband Tony of Garland, Dena Brashear and her husband John of Red Oak and Kimberly Adams and her husband Robert of Rockwall along with 9 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great-grandchildren and several step-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Mildred Wheat of Royse City. Visitation will be at Miller Grove United Methodist Church Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. with the service immediately following at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Howard Strickland will be officiating along with Rev. Jerry Lowrey. Pallbearers will be Michael Anthony, Dustyn Anthony, Chad Anthony, Garrett Anthony, John Brashear, Robert Adams, Tony Rowbotham and Coltin Rowbotham. Memorials may be made to Miller Grove United Methodist Church or Cemetery, c/o Johnny Ferguson, 8320 Farm Road 2653 South, Cumby, Texas 75433 or to VITAS Hospice Care located at 8585 N. Stemmons Freeway, Suite 700, South Tower, Dallas, Texas 75247. HC was the most loving, caring man, always lending a helping hand to anyone he met. He was such a special husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed and thought of often. Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home. www.westoaksfuneralhome.com