Grace Edna (Haney) Akin

Grace E. Haney Akin, age 91, passed peacefully from this life into her Heavenly home on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the home of her daughter and son in law in Madison, Alabama.
Grace was born on May 23, 1934, in Kuttawa, Kentucky, to Robert Elisha Haney and Mary Megdelene (Winters) Haney.

She married the love of her life, MSG James “Jim” L. Akin, with whom she traveled the world as a devoted military wife. Together they raised five children. Jim preceded her in death on December 23, 1970.

In addition to her parents and husband, Grace was preceded in death by two beloved children, Marina Akin Turberville and Larry Wayne “Joe” Akin; three sisters, Edith (the late Homer) Dean, Gladys “Sally” (the late Carl) Summers, and Mary (the late Harold) Crippen; and a brother, Robert “Bud” Haney, along with his wife, Carlene Haney.

Grace is survived by three children: James R. “Jim” (Kay) Akin of Lexington, Alabama; Deanna (Bill) Loden of Madison, Alabama; and Holly (Wayne) Hardiman of Athens, Alabama. She leaves behind seven grandchildren—Michael (Anna) Akin, Tara (Anthony) Garoute, Daniel (Amanda) Hardiman, Matthew (Sierra) Turberville, Drew (Erin) Turberville, Whitney (Wesley) Stover, and Jennifer (Conner) Partridge—and sixteen great grandchildren, in whom she absolutely delighted; one sister, Lottie (the late Francis) Baker; son-in-law, Keith Turberville; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members and friends.

Grace attended Cairo (Illinois) High School and worked at the Five and Dime in Cairo. It was there she met her future husband, who stopped into the store—originally to talk to another girl—while he was in town. Later, she boarded a train bound for California, where he was stationed, to marry him.

Widowed at a young age and left to raise five children, Grace leaned faithfully on the Lord, and He provided. She entered the workforce, first in retail, and later became the Secretary of Westlawn Baptist Church, where she served for 43 years until her retirement at age 86. Her church family meant everything to her, second only to her own kin.

We would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Grace’s caregiver, Ms. Shonta Williams, and  Huntsville Hospice Family Care.

Visitation will be held at Westlawn Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama, on Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. The service will follow at 2:00 p.m., with Pastor Raine Wohlwend officiating. Interment will take place at Huntsville Memory Gardens immediately afterward. Spry Funeral Home, Huntsville, Alabama is directing.

Pallbearers will be Michael Akin, Daniel Hardiman, Matthew Turberville, Drew Turberville, Anthony Garoute, and Wesley Stover.

Memorial contributions in Grace’s name may be made to Westlawn Baptist Church.
 

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