Joe Bob Akins

Joe Bob Akins of Tyler Texas passed away on November 25, 2023, at 9:30 AM at 99 years of age. He was born on July 23, 1924, in Winnsboro Texas. This baby boy was named Joe Bob Akins. He was born to Tom Akins and Ruth Sidman Akins of Winnsboro Texas. He spent his childhood in Winnsboro on the Akins farm with siblings, Gertrude Akins Baber, and Jim T. Akins, both he dearly loved. He graduated Winnsboro High School in 1940 and shortly after, he joined the United States Army to serve in World War II.

As Joe departed for military service, his mother placed a tiny New Testament in his hands saying, “keep this with you, honey". He read the precious New Testament from front to back then repeatedly read it again and again. It was during this period he received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. It was a life-changing experience which he gladly shared with others. Following the end of World War II, Joe returned to Winnsboro where he attended and joined 1st Assembly of God.

It was there, Joe met and fell in love with his forever sweetheart, Margaret Lee Petty Akins. Mother’s Day of May 2023 marked their 76th Wedding Anniversary. Their dear friend and Pastor, Rev. Albert Clark, officiated at their wedding ceremony at Winnsboro 1st Assembly of God.

The couple relocated to Tyler Texas where Joe worked while attending Tyler Commercial Business School in the evening. He graduated as an Accountant and General Office Manager. Over the years, his employment was in insurance, moving and storage. When he became employed by his good friend and neighbor, Tom Ramsour of Ramsour Mayflower Moving and Storage, it became obvious his career passion was moving and storage, specifically logistics regarding packing and loading vans, crating overseas shipments and customer service. Later, he started Joe Akins Moving and Storage business near downtown Tyler focusing on local moves. The business quickly progressed from local to intrastate within the State of Texas, then came special requests for interstate moving. At that point he decided to sell the thriving business because {in Joe’s words} the business had gotten “too big to be little and too little to be big”. It was then sold to a local moving company.

On moving to Tyler, Joe and Margaret joined the families’ beloved church, Rose Center Assembly of God pastored by Rev. D. D. Lewis. There he served for years as Sunday School teacher for varied age groups; Youth Director Christ Ambassadors; newsletter editor; printing and distributing the newsletter; assisting with visitation and weekly radio broadcasts; was a member of the Church Board and served as Lay Minister. He also attended Evangel Assembly of God. Joe was also a Lay Minister for a great number of churches which included Assemblies of God, Baptist, and Methodist within the East Texas area. He was a frequent speaker for special gatherings at Salem Cemetery, as well as Williams and Cartwright Cemeteries until his later years.

Joe's adoring wife, Margaret, preceded him in death. They were blessed with four daughters, four sons-in-law, six "grands" and "great grands" with several sets of twins. He is survived by daughter Barbara Zwernemann and Ken of Georgetown; son Paul Beaird and Krystal of Red Oak with daughter, Rainey; son Timothy Joe Beaird and Missty of Belton with children Corban, Coltan, Cohan, twins Chloe and Cael; son David Zwernemann of Mt. Washington, Kentucky with sons, Jack and Jonah; daughter Marcia Felker and Chris of Georgetown with sons, Brandon and Travis; daughter Shirley Watkins and Michael of Garland, with twins, Dayne Watkins of Frisco; daughter DeLayne Spicer and Clay of Heath with Ella, Jack, twins Henlee and Bradly; daughter Sarah Jenkins and Rex of Chapel Hill with son Justin Jenkins and Jen of Longview with children Jett, twins Ava and Alleya and Dylan Burks; daughter Laura Beam and Rev. Bruce of Holly Lake with son Heath of Austin and fiancé Lauren Maxwell; niece Rivkah Cohen of South Carolina; nephew Jeff Baber, Marlene and family of South Carolina. Joe and Margaret had many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who are dear to them, and they love them all.

Joe was well known as a loving, patient and kind man with many endearing traits or abilities but most of all demonstration of a servant’s heart. He was known for his great love of Margaret and family; made perfect popcorn; was a popcorn ball expert, constructed forts with popsicle sticks and igloos from sugar cubes; made his family laugh; treasured his employees; was a Good Samaritan to many; created funny games for his grands and greats; gave short rides in his moving vans for daughters and grands; knew how to care for Easter chicks; grew the best vegetables; good at carpentry and accounting; taught daughters and grands how to pull salt water taffy; knew how to color taffy for Christmas; recited comical stories from childhood and had a love of shiny yellow Mayflower moving vans, which his family shared. Joe’s stories were so vivid and interesting, his daughters inserted their names. Thus, the stories became about “me, you and Uncle Jim”.

Throughout his life, Joe’s overriding passion was his strong faith in God and Jesus Christ. Joe and Margaret prayed for their entire family daily, calling each name individually. They taught their children how to pray, to have strong faith in God and stay in relationship with God, they passed it to their children who have now passed it to their children – on and on, generations forward. The family will continue the ongoing daily prayer for their family and friends.

A service of Celebration of the Life of Joe Bob Akins will be held Saturday – January 13, 2024 – 1:00 PM at New Life Christian Center located at 18535 Highway 69 South in Tyler Texas. Private interment was held at Lee Cemetery in Winnsboro Texas with family.

Special thanks to the staff of Hospice of East Texas in Tyler for their genuine love and care for Joe. Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Hospice of East Texas - https://hospiceofeasttexas.org/