Suad Hanna Akel

Suad Akel was born in Ramallah, Palestine. Her father was Abraham Mansour Rayyan, Her mother was Hannah Mobarak. Her mother died when Suad was one year old.

Suad was raised by her beloved grandfather who adored and protected her and to whom she commonly referred to as “Mr. Wonderful.“

Suad is predeceased by her husband Hanna Salem Akel & her oldest daughter Abla Akel. Her surviving children are Mansur Akel, Janette Salameh, Mary Abboud, and Sylvia Vanderels. To her delight Suad had 14 grandchildren & 16 great grandchildren. She had a special relationship with each one.

Suad traveled to this country in 1951 at the age of 19, with one child in each hand (Abla and Mansur).

Many challenges faced her in a new country where she knew, neither the language or the customs. Suad then had the three “little ones “Janette , Mary and Sylvia.

If life seemed hard at 19 it became harder at the age of 36 when she lost her dear husband Hanna, to a heart attack. She became a young widow with 5 children.

She sat her three “little ones” in her lap and said “I’m going to take care of you” and that’s what she did! She did anything and everything to support her family because they were her passion, her life blood!!!

She worked a variety of jobs from being a seamstress at a hosiery mill, to working at night at Skinners Dairy. She ran a daycare out of her home and later in life she worked at a dry cleaners.

Suad was extremely hospitable. Cooking meals for her loved ones was an expression of her love, nurturing and comfort. It was more than merely nourishment. It was love made tangible.

As the kids grew up and Suad had less responsibility, she was able to focus on more than just survival.

She studied the Bible and at the age of 73 was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses where she came to have a much bigger spiritual family as well!

Suad loved people and People loved her dynamic personality and her vibrant sense of humor. She found much joy in her friendships !!! She loved music and would often break out into a song.

She loved richly and she was richly loved! She will forever be cherished, and she will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched.

A Visitation will also take place at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home on November 23, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am. A Celebration of Life will begin at 11:30 am. Following the service there will be a Mercy Meal at Ramallah American Club located at 3130 Parental Home Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32216.

The Committal Service will be a private family interment conducted at Greenlawn Cemetery, 4300 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207, on November 24, 2025.