Patricia Allen Akins

Houston, Texas - Patricia ‘Tippy’ Allen Akins died May 8th, 2018 due to complications of Alzheimers. Obituary and arrangements are being co-managed by Memorial Oaks Funeral Home (Dignity Memorial) in Houston, and Wilkerson Funeral Home in DeQueen, Arkansas. Services are pending at Redmen Cemetery, in DeQueen, AR.

Tip was born July 24, 1923 in DeQueen, Arkansas. She graduated from DeQueen High School and attended Henderson State Teachers College. She fell in love with, and married Morris Sheppard Akins in 1946. In 1950, they moved to Carthage, Texas, where she worked at First National Bank, before moving to Shreveport in 1958, where she was a secretary at Fair Park High School for 24 years. She sang in the choir her whole life, and as a member of Mangum Memorial Methodist Church was well known as a beautiful soloist. After retiring, she lived in Fayetteville, AR, Shreveport, LA, and for the past two years had been residing in Houston, TX. “Grammy” was an invaluable part of our lives, loved by family and friends and especially adored by her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She shared her unconditional love and generous spirit with all those around her. She proclaimed to everyone that she chose to be joyful; her source of joy and happiness was her deep, personal faith in Christ.

Survivors include: Tia Akins Gurvitz, Lexington, KY; Morris Sheppard ‘Shep’ Akins, Jr. (Susan), Fayetteville, AR; Jeri Akins Carlton (James) Houston, TX; loving grandchildren Shira Gurvitz Gambrel, MD (John Ross) Lexington, KY; Kelsi Gurvitz Harrington (John) Houston, TX; Matthew Alan Akins (Kate) Fayetteville, AR; Elizabeth Leigh Akins, PharmD, Fayetteville, AR and five great grandchildren; Maddax, Miller, Brooks, Hudson and Holland.

Preceding Tip in death were her parents, brothers, husband Morris Sheppard Akins, Sr (Putter), and grandson Dirk Duane Miller, Jr.

Mother loved music, so let's sing and dance to our favorite songs and help celebrate her life! Please direct donations in memory of Patricia Akins to FRIENDS OF DIRK FUND at MD Anderson Cancer Center; mdanderson.org/gifts (choose “other” to direct the donation and type Friends of Dirk Fund) or mail check to MDACC (write Friends of Dirk Fund in comments), P.O. BOX 4486, Houston TX, 77210.