STATESBORO - Mrs. Elizabeth Marie "Betty" Stuck Akins, age 89, died Friday at Browns Health and Rehabilitation. The Newark, N.J., native had been a resident of Statesboro since 1944. She was the daughter of the late Frederick Joseph Stuck Sr. and Catherine Cecila Forsythe Stuck of New Jersey. Mrs. Akins worked with her husband for over 30 years in the Akins Insurance Service. She joined the Trinity Episcopal Church in 1959, where she served as the Acolyte Mother from 1965 until her retirement in 2003. Mrs. Akins was also a member of the ECW, Altar Guild and Daughters of the King. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Mrs. Akins was preceded in death by her husband, Paul "Datus" Akins Sr.; and two sons, Robert Akins and Sonny Akins. Surviving are four sons and three daughters-in-law, Paul D. Akins Jr. and Diane, Bill and Beth Akins, David and Judy Akins and John Akins, all of Statesboro; five grandchildren and their spouses, Paul Akins III and Lyn of Ocilla, Ann and Carl Stone of Baxley, Michael and Monica Akins of Claxton, Leah A. and Philip Rehberg of Twin City and Lindsay and Nathan Hodges of Reidsville; a step grandchild, Brandon Glover; 10 great-grandchildren, a sister, Catherine S. Lindsay of Freehold, N.J.; and a loving care giver, Ann Reed. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation will be Saturday from 5-7 p.m. at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Trinity Episcopal Church with the Revs. Joan Killian and Steve Darby officiating. Interment will be in the Upper Mill Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Paul Akins III, Michael Akins, Richard Cannon, Ed Akins, Philip Rehberg, Nathan Hodges and Carl Stone. Honorary pallbearers will be the Daughters of the King and Acolytes of the past and present, who had served under her guidance. The family will be at the home of Bill and Beth Akins. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Trinity Episcopal Church, 4401 Country Club Road, Statesboro, Ga. 30458; or Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, Ga. 30459. Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home of Statesboro is in charge of arrangements.

Published in Statesboro Herald from October 24 to October 25, 2008