Joseph Franklin Akins

Joseph Franklin Akins, 86, a resident of the Hermitage Retirement Center, beloved father and grandfather, went to join our Lord in Heaven on Thursday, July 30, 2009. Mr. Akins was born May 30, 1923 in Decatur, Ga, a son of the late Joseph Uriah and Ethel Mullins Akins. He served his country in the Merchant Marines during World War II, was a member of Temple Baptist Church and had been employed in Route Sales. His wife, Jackie Dunlap Akins, a son, James Franklin Akins, brothers and sisters, Walter Akins, James Akins, John Akins, Sara Wiltshire, Eureka Reese and Mary Helen Crouch, all preceded him in death. Surviving are sons, Joseph Franklin Akins, Jr., of Cape Coral, FL, Kenneth Marlin Akins and wife Judy of Rockingham, Kevin Michael Akins of Myrtle Beach, SC; daughter, Sara Kidd and husband Hal of Charlotte; grandchildren, Angie Akins, Sonya Nelson, Alyshia Powell, Amanda Honeycutt, Meredith Bradley and Joseph Akins; and 8 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday at Temple Baptist Church with Rev. Joey Byrd officiating. Interment will follow in Richmond County Memorial Park. The family will see friends from 2:00 – 2:45 PM Sunday at the church and at other times at Ken and Judy’s home, 215 Hamer Road, Rockingham. Memorials may be made to Temple Baptist Church, 165 Airport Rd. Rockingham, NC 28379 or to Hospice of Richmond County, 1119 US Hwy 1 N, Rockingham, NC 28379,