Joshua Price Akins

With grieving hearts, we announce that Joshua Price Akins, age 19, passed away on October 4th, 2026. He is now healed, whole, and he has no more pain. Joshua is now rejoicing in Heaven with the Lord he loved.

Joshua accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior when he was eight years old. His Daddy, Lee, had the blessing of helping to baptize his son. Joshua loved being in church. He loved singing solos, often with his Daddy accompanying him on the piano. He was active in Sunday School, youth group, and he took notes during the sermons. He was always ready to shout an "Amen!"

Joshua was a brave warrior and fought hard his whole life. He and his twin brother, Kelby, were both born with one of the most severe congenital heart defects, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Joshua had his first open-heart surgery when he was one week old, and endured two more open-heart surgeries before the age of three. He went through countless procedures, tests, exams, surgeries, numerous hospital admissions in two states, and much more. He was diagnosed with heart failure three years ago. Through all this, Joshua kept fighting. He never gave up, even though he wanted to at times.

He lived life to the fullest. Joshua graduated from Morristown-Hamblen High School East on May 22, 2026. He was so excited and proud of how far he'd come. His family celebrated his graduation with a luau-themed party. Joshua had returned to East in this current school year for Work Based Learning. He missed some school due to his health, and he was looking forward to being back there with his classmates and teachers.

Joshua has been described by many as a light in this dark world, and filled with the light of the Lord. He was full of joy. Joshua didn't let his health struggles make him bitter. Instead, he shared love with everyone, however he could. He talked to everyone.

Joshua loved his family and friends. His favorite person and best friend was his big sister, Gracie. He loved spending time with her, laughing, and having adventures.

Joshua loved people and had great empathy for them. If someone was crying, he'd cry with them. If someone was hurting, he'd want to help and he'd pray for them. When he heard that someone had passed away, he'd always say that he needed to go to the funeral, even if he didn't know the person who passed. He wanted to be there to give comfort to the family.

Joshua always thought of others. He was so intelligent and had an amazing memory. He remembered birthdays and other significant dates of loved ones, and all his numerous appointments. He loved to help his Mom and surprise her with gifts and notes.

Joshua wanted to help people with his choice of future career. His goal was to be, in his words, an "E.R. Worker." He wanted to work in triage in an emergency room. He said that because he'd been through so much, he would be able to explain things to people, and help them feel better.

Joshua loved all things in his favorite color, light blue. He loved music, and took piano lessons from his Dad. He was blessed with a Make-A-Wish trip to California and got to meet his favorites, Lightning McQueen and Mater. He had a growing collection of Buc-ee's items, including several shirts and a onesie. He loved reading, movies, cooking, and shopping. He was funny, talented, curious, stubborn, opinionated, sometimes random, brave, and loving. He wasn't afraid to ask questions and he loved to learn. He kept his doctors, parents, and sister on their toes. Joshua didn't lose his battle; he won the ultimate victory in Jesus.

Joshua was preceded in death by: his daddy, Lee Akins; his baby sibling who died in miscarriage; his twin brother, Kelby Lee Akins; and his grandparents, George Akins, Shirley Akins, and Jene Ann Price.

Left behind to cherish Joshua's memory are: his mom, Mitzi Akins; his sister, Gracie Akins; his pappaw, Mitchell (Sandra) Price; his aunt, Lynell (Rick) Lowe; his uncle, Carl Akins; his uncle, Will Price; and a huge extended family and friends. Joshua made an impact on countless lives. He was loved by so many, and will always be missed.

The graveside service and burial for Joshua Akins will take place on Monday, October 12th. Family and friends will meet at Stubblefield funeral home in Morristown, TN, at 11:15 a.m. and process to the cemetery. Joshua will be buried next to his twin brother, Kelby.

Joshua's Celebration of Life/memorial service will be on Thursday, October 15th. It will be at Trinity Methodist Church, 425 Wilder St, Morristown, TN. The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m., and the service will begin at 6:00 p.m. Flowers may be sent to Trinity Church ahead of the service. Joshua's mother and sister are asking everyone to wear Light Blue to the service, which was Joshua's favorite color. Please join us as we remember the amazing, brave, one-of-a-kind Joshua Price Akins.