Mary Jo Kennedy Akins

Mrs. Mary Jo Akins, 94, of Fort Payne passed away Thursday, February 3, 2011 at her home. She was a member of Walkers Chapel Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School for over 45 years. Funeral services were on Sunday February 6 at Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ben McCurdy and Elder Jim McGill officiating. Burial followed in Walkers Chapel Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Walkers Chapel Church or Cemetery or the Children’s Advocacy Center. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Kerry and Sheila Akins, grandsons Jason (Stacie), Scott (Katie), and Christopher (Avery) Akins, great-grandchildren Garrett and Carter Akins, Preston, Olivia, Alex, and Anna Kate Akins, and Willa Rose and Hopper Akins, sister-in-law Edrey Mae Kennedy, brother-in-law Rolett (Brownie) Akins, nieces Susan Kennedy-Jennings, Patricia (Ray) Kennedy Stefanac, Dava Richardson, and Leigh (Keith) Akins Rouse, nephews Randall (Rebecca)Richardson, Jon (Josephine) Richardson, Van (Trena) Akins. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years Hubert Howard Akins, her parents Joseph and Nora King Kennedy, brother William J. Kennedy, and sister Muriel Ray Kennedy Richardson. Mary Jo Akins was born in Jamestown, AL in Cherokee County where she attended the small school there for eight years, then went to boarding school at Snead Seminary in Boaz where she completed high school and two years of junior college. She began her teaching career at a one-teacher school in the Black Oak Community on Lookout Mt. At a "box supper" there she met a young man named Hubert Akins from Dogtown. World War II soon took Hubert to England where he flew 33 bombing missions over Hitler's Germany as part of the Army Air Force. Mary Jo continued her teaching, the worked on the Home Front for the Tennessee Valley Authority. Finally, the war ended. Hubert returned in a uniform covered with medals and bearing an engagement ring for Mary Jo. The wedding was on Thanksgiving, 1945. Hubert purchased Akins Grocery Store in Dogtown, and the two of them ran the store while living in a small apartment inside. In 1947, their son Kerry David was born. Five years later, they bought their first house and land, then ten years later built their permanent home in the community. By that time Akins Grocery had evolved into Akins Furniture Store. In 1954 Mary Jo earned her B.S. degree and began her teaching career of 25 years at Ruhama School. There she influenced scores of lives with her quiet,yet stern demeanor and her great love and caring for all her students. She retired in 1978 but continued to be very active in the community, particularly in her church. She also enjoyed having more time to spend with her three grandsons, Jason, Scott, and Chris and to pursue her passions - genealogical and historical research. Her finding resulted in several "books" she called Kennedy Kin, Family Ties, Akins and Hogans, Camps and Keevers, Footprints at Walker’s Chapel. Mary Jo Akins loved her God, her family, and learning. She left a wonderful legacy for her family and her community. Wilson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements

Mary Jo Kennedy Akins

July 13, 1916 - February 3, 2011