Lorenzo M. "Larry" Akins, USAF Ret.

MSgt Lorenzo M. “Larry” Akins, USAF, Ret., age 85, passed away on September 20, 2016. MSgt Akins was born April 15, 1931 near Marston, MO. He entered the MO National Guard on April 19, 1948 and served until November 14, 1950 at which time he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served 20 plus years. He retired from the USAF on December 31, 1970. Later he entered Civil Service as an Electronic Instructor at Keesler AFB. He reached the rating of GS-11 Training Specialist before retiring on June 30, 1988 after 40 years of total Federal Service to his country. He has been a resident of the St. Martin area of Jackson County since 1970. He has been an active member of the VFW since 1965 and a life member since 1975. He was named as an All-American by the National Commander-In-Chief when serving as Diatric One Commander in 2001-2002. He performed 5000 plus hours of voluntary service at the Biloxi VA. MSGT Akins is preceded in death by his parents, LaVoy Roy and Esther Lea Akins; his brothers, Navy Chief (Ret.) Franklin Akins and AF MSgt, (Ret.) K.W. F. Akins; his sister, Dealie A. Morgan; his daughters, Diana Lynn Furr and Pamela Louise Akins; and his granddaughter, Jennifer M. Tolito. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Billie Jo Akins; his children, Debra Ann Rice, Larry Ray Akins and Cynthia Sue (Mike) Ferguson; 15 grandchildren, Amanda Duncan, Kerri-King Moser, Cecilia “C.C.” (Chester) Hall, Bobby, Shaun and Chris Tolito, Georgeann (John) Garner, Anthony Anselmo, B.J. Nolph, Diana Holland, Nicole Long, Heather, Danny and Jason Akins; and 28 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Thursday, September 22, 2016 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm with a 10:00 am chapel service on Friday, September 23, 2016. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with Full VFW Honors.