Birth date: Jan 29, 1938 Death date: Oct 17, 2025
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) Harriett Jean “Jean” Akin passed from this life in Nashville, Tennessee, trusting the promise of eternal rest in Jesus. Her steady walk with the Lord shaped ev Read Obituary
My wife Lisa, our girls Alyssa, Maria and Sophia were the honored neighbors to Miss Akin from 1997 - 2005 on Riverwood Dr in Inglewood in East, Nashville. She was an absolute blast to be neighbors with throughout our time there. She was a self-proclaimed shop-a-holic! I can't tell you how many trips to the basement I made to bring up that season's dishes and treasures. After picking up yet another nicknack at some shopping excursion, she'd say something like "well it was right there, what was I to do - leave it on the shelf? I just had to buy it!"
My girls and I would help with all sorts of little things here and there. She's join us from time to time for dinner, and of course birthdays and never missed a Christmas. We'd say "Christmas season has really begun
after exchanging gifts with Miss Jean. We'd discuss sports, scripture, food, what ever the topic. I would help and advise on car repairs and things of more mechanical nature. And she had an opinion on all sorts of things. She loved our girls like they were her own nieces or grandkids. She absolutely loved, loved, loved life! When she retired, I think her paced picked up, she never stopped.
She was an Eddie George and Titan's fan like no other! She had seasons tickets for years.
Miss Jean taught me a few southern phrases, cattywompus (sp), hose-pipe, and I heard often "well I'll be.." or "isn't that so".
She loved Jesus and her bible studies, and her church. Without question this was always the most important pillar in her life, her relationship to Christ.
We have so many fond memories of Miss Akin, and the Akin family but my all-time favorite story, to be remember by me, Shirley and Dawn now, was one to cherish. Jean called me one night when Billy, Shirley and Dawn (and Derrick) were over visiting - as was often the case - because there was a squirrel running around in the basement that needed to be dealt with. So, Billy and I went down and caught the squirrel under a box. It happened to nip me through my leather glove, but that was a minor setback in Billy's thoughtful plan. After we trapped it, Billy says "let me have your glove". So, knowing something fun was about to happen, I gladly gave it up. And Billy, the fun guy he was (living a fun-filled life runs in the family) he said "watch this". As the ladies upstairs asked "how was it going?", he said "just fine, I think we've got it" (or something close to that) and tossed my leather glove up the stairs into the kitchen and you've thought the world exploded! Shreaks, and screams and jumping - I thought all three of them were gonna have a heart attack. I'm sure Billy got a word or two on the way home, but I hadn't laughed that hard in a loooonng time. Oh what a blast and what a memory. I loved every second!
We stayed in touch through the years, though contact slowed a bit in the last couple of years. Her beloved brother Billy (and Shirley) would check on Jean daily, and would keep me up to date on her, and I would check in with her as well. She is in the arms of Jesus, hallelujah! What a life well lived. Here are a couple of pics from the last year or so.
Visiting Aunt Jean’s house at Christmastime was the best! She decorated every square inch of her home in Yuletide cheer! And the food!!! She was. Marvelous cook and I cherish many of her recipes! Rest in the arms of the Lord dear lady. You were so loved!
