Diane Akins
July 27th, 1941 - December 14th, 2021
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Diane's Obituary
Diane L. Akins, 80, of Stevensville, passed away on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at her home.
A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, December 20, 2021, at 11AM, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, December 19, 2021, from 2PM until 4PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Diane’s family in c/o James Akins. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Diane was born on July 7, 1941, to Benjamin & Gladys (Krause) Boyd in Benton Harbor. She attended Benton Harbor High School. On December 20, 1958, Diane married the love of her life, James Akins, at First Congregational Church in Benton Harbor. She attended First Free Will Baptist Church in Benton Harbor under the ministry of Eugene Glisson where she taught Sunday school. In Diane’s free time, she enjoyed doing ceramics.
Diane is survived by her husband of 62 years, James Akins; children Brian Akins of St. Joseph, Rodney Akins of St. Joseph, Michele (Wayne) Lawson of Ft. Myers, FL, and Melissa (Derrick) Lemmon of Fredericksburg, VA; grandchildren, Allie (Paul) Josh (Brittany), Sean, Jessica, Aubrey, Ryan, Sarah, Kerry, Brittany, Char; Great grandchildren, Beau, Travis James, Elyse Marie, Derrick, Diana Rose, Amiyah and Ajia; brother Ben (Mary) Boyd Jr. of Stevensville; and her cats Oreo and Oreanna.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin & Gladys Boyd; and infant son Johnny James Akins and Grandson Travis Gamel.
A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, December 20, 2021, at 11AM, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, December 19, 2021, from 2PM until 4PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Diane’s family in c/o James Akins. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Diane was born on July 7, 1941, to Benjamin & Gladys (Krause) Boyd in Benton Harbor. She attended Benton Harbor High School. On December 20, 1958, Diane married the love of her life, James Akins, at First Congregational Church in Benton Harbor. She attended First Free Will Baptist Church in Benton Harbor under the ministry of Eugene Glisson where she taught Sunday school. In Diane’s free time, she enjoyed doing ceramics.
Diane is survived by her husband of 62 years, James Akins; children Brian Akins of St. Joseph, Rodney Akins of St. Joseph, Michele (Wayne) Lawson of Ft. Myers, FL, and Melissa (Derrick) Lemmon of Fredericksburg, VA; grandchildren, Allie (Paul) Josh (Brittany), Sean, Jessica, Aubrey, Ryan, Sarah, Kerry, Brittany, Char; Great grandchildren, Beau, Travis James, Elyse Marie, Derrick, Diana Rose, Amiyah and Ajia; brother Ben (Mary) Boyd Jr. of Stevensville; and her cats Oreo and Oreanna.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin & Gladys Boyd; and infant son Johnny James Akins and Grandson Travis Gamel.
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