Celebrating the life of
Harold Deane Akins
January 04, 1919 - June 13, 2011
SAVANNAH – Harold Deane Akins went Home to be with the Lord on June 13th after a brief illness.
She and her husband, George Akins, operated Savannah's first Union Rescue Mission from 1939 until 1972 where thousands of homeless transients were given free meals, lodging, and counseling.
They initiated the Mission Youth Camp in 1947 reaching more than 25, 000 children in weekly summer camps providing them with study, recreation, and interdenominational Christian training.
She was co-founder, with her husband, of Savannah Christian School and served as Principal from 1951 until 1973. With a student body of 1, 450 Savannah Christian became the largest private Christian school in the state of Georgia.
After her retirement she authored a book detailing her life, "Founded on the Rock – Jesus Christ".
Well into her eighties she made missionary trips twice to Africa and to Haiti, Japan, Taiwan, and the Ukraine when she was 89.
She is survived by her son George Akins, Jr. and his wife, Barbara, of Boca Raton, FL, granddaughters Patrice Liburdi and Christi Hice, both of South Florida, and five great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Wednesday at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
The funeral service will be held at 10:00 on Thursday at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
Interment will follow in Bonaventure Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Savannah Christian School, P.O. Box 2848, Savannah, GA 31402.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com
I have such fond memories of Mrs. Akins at Union Mission camp. The memorable experience has remained vivid in my mind all these years. She was a wonderful lady and I know the angels in heaven are having a party celebrating her homecoming! Love and prayers for her family.
- Dale Morrison Swails, Morristown, TN
Some of my fondest memories as a child was the youth camps provided by this family. She was a lady among ladies. A true southern charm.The Union Mission Rescuse was a wonderful place to worship and the Akins family were super people.May God bless the family at this time and know heavens gates have opened for this lady with open arms
- June Deal, Conway, GA
We were saddened to learn of Harold Deane's leaving us, but she is with her Lord now. It was such a pleasure to know Harold Deane these many years, where she was so happily active in our church, Independent Presbyterian Church. She was bible teacher for our Tuesday Morning Circle for many years, and everyone loved her. It was always a pleasure to see her and chat with her at our Sunday and Wednesday noon services. She was faithful in attendance, always cheerful and smiling. We shall miss her in our midst. May our Lord comfort her family and friends in this loss. God bless each of you, Jean and Joan
- Jean Cope Ennis, Joan Cope Paez, Savannah, GA
Dear Patrice: I know you have very fond memories of your grandmother. Don't cry tears of sadness for she lived a very full life and helped many in the name of God. The years daddy Homer Highsmith taught at and we lived at Savannah Christian were some of the happiest of my life. I'm sorry we didn't stay in touch with each other and would love to hear from you. I have included my email address and I'm on FaceBook. Love to you and your family.
- Toni Highsmith Crawford, Bluffton, SC
I am truly sorry for your loss in the home going of Harold Deane. She has been a dear friend & a blessing to me and my family. May the Lord Jesus pour out His grace on you during these days. The Bucky & Mae Plyler Family
- Bucky Plyler, Toccoa Falls, GA
We will miss dear Aunt Harold Deane...she was adventure, love, and sharing all bundled in the tiny package of enthusiasm.
- Linda and Stan Manus, Edisto Island, SC
We are very sorry to hear about your great loss. She was a wonderful woman. I will never forget the day that I met Mrs. Akins. She was so loving and kind. She made it possible for us to open Emmanuel Christian School 30 years ago. Emmanuel is a child care learning center. We always enjoyed her visits and words of encouragement.
- Sandra King, Savannah, GA
Dear Akins family, When we were at IPC Miz Harold Dean was always so kind. How wonderful to have such a Christian heritage. We celebrate her homecoming, but know how much she will be missed. May God Bless You All, Bob ><>
- JohnRobert Peavy, Rincon, GA
I wish I was fortunate enough to meet Mrs. Akins, what a remarkable woman! My thoughts are with the Akins family. Cherish all the wonderful memories you shared to help ease the pain in this time of sorrow. Camie
- Camie Vincent, Pompano Beach, FL
I have such fond memories of Mrs. Akins at Union Mission camp. The memorable experience has remained vivid in my mind all these years. She was a wonderful lady and I know the angels in heaven are having a party celebrating her homecoming! Love and prayers for her family.
- Dale Morrison Swails, Morristown, TN
Some of my fondest memories as a child was the youth camps provided by this family. She was a lady among ladies. A true southern charm.The Union Mission Rescuse was a wonderful place to worship and the Akins family were super people.May God bless the family at this time and know heavens gates have opened for this lady with open arms
- June Deal, Conway, GA
We were saddened to learn of Harold Deane's leaving us, but she is with her Lord now. It was such a pleasure to know Harold Deane these many years, where she was so happily active in our church, Independent Presbyterian Church. She was bible teacher for our Tuesday Morning Circle for many years, and everyone loved her. It was always a pleasure to see her and chat with her at our Sunday and Wednesday noon services. She was faithful in attendance, always cheerful and smiling. We shall miss her in our midst. May our Lord comfort her family and friends in this loss. God bless each of you, Jean and Joan
- Jean Cope Ennis, Joan Cope Paez, Savannah, GA
Dear Patrice: I know you have very fond memories of your grandmother. Don't cry tears of sadness for she lived a very full life and helped many in the name of God. The years daddy Homer Highsmith taught at and we lived at Savannah Christian were some of the happiest of my life. I'm sorry we didn't stay in touch with each other and would love to hear from you. I have included my email address and I'm on FaceBook. Love to you and your family.
- Toni Highsmith Crawford, Bluffton, SC
I am truly sorry for your loss in the home going of Harold Deane. She has been a dear friend & a blessing to me and my family. May the Lord Jesus pour out His grace on you during these days. The Bucky & Mae Plyler Family
- Bucky Plyler, Toccoa Falls, GA
We will miss dear Aunt Harold Deane...she was adventure, love, and sharing all bundled in the tiny package of enthusiasm.
- Linda and Stan Manus, Edisto Island, SC
We are very sorry to hear about your great loss. She was a wonderful woman. I will never forget the day that I met Mrs. Akins. She was so loving and kind. She made it possible for us to open Emmanuel Christian School 30 years ago. Emmanuel is a child care learning center. We always enjoyed her visits and words of encouragement.
- Sandra King, Savannah, GA
Dear Akins family, When we were at IPC Miz Harold Dean was always so kind. How wonderful to have such a Christian heritage. We celebrate her homecoming, but know how much she will be missed. May God Bless You All, Bob ><>
- JohnRobert Peavy, Rincon, GA
I wish I was fortunate enough to meet Mrs. Akins, what a remarkable woman! My thoughts are with the Akins family. Cherish all the wonderful memories you shared to help ease the pain in this time of sorrow. Camie
- Camie Vincent, Pompano Beach, FL
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
