March 17, 2019
Carolyn (Till) Deason Akins
Carolyn (Till) Deason Akins, an only child, was born in Greenville, Alabama, on May 7, 1943 to Ruth Edrie and Henry Jackson (Jack) Till. Her father died when she was 10. Her mother died in 1987. Carolyn grew up in the Greenville area across the street from a favorite cousin, Betty (Till) Wilson, with whom she remained close throughout her life. She married Mel Deason, and they had two children together, Michele and Kyle. Kyle preceded her in death at the age of 17. Carolyn remained single for 30 years after her divorce from Mel. She was self-employed in the marketing business during that time. In 2011 she met Olen C. (Charlie) Akins. They were married in August 2012 in Marietta, Georgia. Much of their time together was spent traveling in their motorhome to places she had never been, such as the Grand Canyon, the Calgory Stampede in Canada, Niagra Falls, etc. Several months each winter they stayed in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas where they reunited with many friends there, attending country/western dances several times a week. Part of the year was spent in Marietta at their condo, then they were on the go again.
Carolyn battled breast cancer several times over the years. Her last battle was fought at MD Anderson in Houston where all who treated her admired her radiance and grace. She returned home to Marietta, Georgia, for a short time before she went to be with Our Lord on March 17, 2019. She is survived by her beloved husband Charlie, her daughter Michele Black (Brent Tarr), granddaughter Madison (Aaron) Aguillard and grandson Logan Black, as well as Charlie’s children, Lance (Cathy) Akins, Skip (Anita) Akins, Stacy Carter, Jessie (Allen) Cochran, and grandchildren, Taylor, Olivia, and Julia Akins, Robert, Benjamin, and Tucker Cochran.
A celebration of Carolyn’s life was held on April 6th, 2019 at the Johnson Ferry Baptist Church attended by family and many friends. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to MD Anderson, Houston, Texas.