Esther Griffing Akins

Mrs. Akins was born November 1, 1915, in Miami, FL, and was a daughter of the late Arthur M. and Ala Wing Griffing.  She was educated at Florida State University and was married to Edward Rufus Akins from February 15, 1937, until his death January 31, 1976.  She lived in Miami from 1937 to 1950, Macon, GA from 1951 to 1955, and Asheville since 1955.

She was the Director of Child Evangelism Fellowship for Asheville and Western North Carolina from 1958 to 1978, during which time she taught Bible Classes in the public Sschools.   She received her Masters Degree from Western Carolina University in 1971 and taught in the Asheville City Schools.

After her retirement she served as missionary in Liberia, Africa, for seven years.  In Asheville, she was a member of The Gathering.  She was preceded in death by two sisters, Mertlow G. Brown and Marilla G. Collins.

She is survived by two daughters, Nancy A. Guerrero of Oxford, GA and Madge A. Fitzgerald of Crofton, MD;  three sons, Charles W. Akins of Atlanta, Thomas N. Akins of Knoxville, and Robert K. Akins of Asheville;  a brother, Charles Wing Griffing of Temecula, CA, and nine grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 4:00 pm Saturday at Groce Funeral Home with Edward B. Shoff officiating.  Burial will be at Green Hills Cemetery.

Her family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.