Norma was born on October 3, 1957 in Maury County. She was the daughter of the late Elmer ?Buck? and Hauty Lee ?Peggy? Graham Howell. On July 3, 1978, Norma married Samuel ?Sam? Akins of Culleoka. Norma and Sam spent 8 years beside each other in the United States Air Force. Norma attended Columbia State Community College, Tennessee State University and Middle Tennessee State University. She had a PhD in Geology. Norma taught Geography and Geology at Middle Tennessee State University, Columbia State Community College and Spring Hill High School. She attended and was married at Mt. Pleasant Freewill Baptist Church. Norma was a loving wife, mother and sister.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, A.J. Akins of Roanoke, Virginia and Adam Keith Jennifer Akins of Nashville; three sisters, Dolly Tom Jernigan of Mt. Pleasant, Barbara Clark of Ethridge and Betty Jerry Hendrix of Columbia; three brothers, Elmer ?Jim? Paulette Howell of Ethridge, Donald Ray Jane Howell and Danny Wayne Cindy Howell both of Mt. Pleasant; two generations of triple first cousins; and special friend, Mariea Coleman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Lillie ?Tooter? Akins and two brothers-in-law, Joe Akins and Kenneth ?Popeye? Akins.
Mrs. Norma J. Alexander Howell Akins was 53 years old and a resident of McKnight Road in Culleoka. She passed away on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at Maury Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services for Mrs. Akins will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. on Monday, January 24, 2011 in the chapel of Williams Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant with Rev. William Owen and Rev. J.D. Brooks officiating. Interment will follow at Pisgah Cemetery with military honors being provided by the United States Air Force.
The Akins Family will receive friends from 3 PM until 9 PM on Sunday at Williams Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant.
Active pallbearers will be Larry W. Akins, Michael Clark, Benjamin K. Orban, Timothy Bullett Howell, Paul Howell, Gary W. Akins, Douglas Akins and David Davis. Honorary pallbearers will be nieces and nephews and all employees of Stoney?s Wrecker Service.
Williams Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant is assisting the Akins Family with the arrangements.