By Staff
PENSACOLA, Fla. – Gene Akins, 76, went home to be with the Lord on October 5, 2009.
Gene served his country in the United States military. He was a dedicated employee of Monsanto for more than 33 years before retiring.
Gene’s passion was coaching youth football and baseball. Gene coached in both Atmore and Pensacola for over 45 years. He was widely known for his time working with youth in the 1960s through 1980s during his nearly 25 years living in Atmore. He loved gardening and sharing his fruits and vegetables with family and friends.
Gene was a wonderful, loving husband, father, brother, PaPa and friend and will be sincerely missed by all.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Artie and Sally Akins; sister, Ellen Till; brother, James Akins; and previous wife, Joyce Akins.
He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Patsy; children, Sherry (Darrell) McElhaney, Mike (Cindy) Akins, Michelle (Doni) Gartman, Brad (Chris) Thompson, and Marcella (Tim) Rhyne; grandchildren, Collin and Brian McElhaney, Jenna and Riley Akins, Craig (Tonya) Turner, Danielle Turner, Patrick Gartman, Trenton, Tyler and Troy Thompson, Brandon (Jenna) Rhyne and Whitney Rhyne; sisters, Jeanette Odom, Lucille (August) Fauve, Polly (Albert) Hollinger, Evelyn Bell and Glendean (Rodney) Harrison; mother-in-law, Mary Milligan; and a host of family and friends.
Visitation will be held at Calvary Way Full Gospel Church at 100 Jones Street in Pensacola, FL Friday, October 9, 2009 at 10:00am with funeral service beginning at 11:00, Pastor Carl Shiver and Pastor Jim Diamond officiating. The family will hold a private graveside service following the funeral.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Collin McElhaney, Brian McElhaney, Craig Turner, Patrick Gartman, Trenton Thompson, Tyler Thompson, Troy Thompson and Brandon Rhyne, and honorary pallbearers will be Ben W. Gordon, Sr., and C. Brooks White.
Arrangements made by Pensacola Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.