Mary Sybil Akins

Mary Sybil (Raffaele-Dorey-Golden) Akins went home to be with our Lord Monday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m., at her home in Fayetteville, Ark., just 29 days after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Mary was born on a farm, as were her seven siblings, on the first day of summer, June 21, 1927. Mary left school at an early age to work the family farm but later in life completed school and received her diploma with her husband and all her children present to witness her accomplishment. Mary continued her education taking art classes and a class in floral designing which became her profession until her retirement Mary's hobbies were socializing, fishing, planting flowers and trees; but she was most passionate about sketching and painting, which she encouraged in all her children and grandchildren. Mary was also a proud and longtime member with the American Legion and VFW organizations. Mary loved her family dearly and endlessly and wanted nothing more than to be surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Most of all she loved the Lord. She showed many the way to a relationship with God. She loved to read her Bible and lived her life by God's Commandments. Left to honor Mary and remember her love and gentle heart are; one sister, Beaulah Fuller (Jack); her children, Alan Dorey, Eric Dorey (Sharen), Lynn Reese (Pete), Gwen/Goldi Berends (Bruce), Gary Golden (Kathy); daughters-in-law Alicia and Cynthia Dorey, 12 grandchildren: Erica, Jessica, Reianna, Trevor, Skylar, Amber, Anneka, Elaina, Melissa, Mark, Sean, Becky, 14 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Leon Akins, her parents, Joseph and Mary D. (Roughton) Raffaele, four sisters, Iduma, Jeanette Agnes Patricia, Catherine, two brothers, Joseph and Reginald, a son, Mark Dorey and Daughter, Judy Riggleman. All whose lives were touched by Mary are invited to Moores Chapel Funeral Home, 206 W. Center St., Fayetteville, from 5-7 p.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 24 to reminisce, grieve, support each other and of course just chat. Graveside service will follow Wednesday morning at 10 a.m., at Fairview Memorial Gardens, 1728 Mission Blvd., Fayetteville with Dr. Douglas Falknor, Pastor officiating. To sign the online guestbook visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.