Nona Elizabeth Akins, age 82, of Chatsworth, Georgia, passed away Thursday, March 23, 2023, at
Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton, Georgia.

Nona was born in Whitfield County on August 20, 1940, to the late Haskell James and Mary Dell Grady.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Harold Grady of Charleston, South
Carolina, her brothers-in-law, Harold Nelson of Charleston, South Carolina, and Donald Swinney of
Chatsworth, Georgia.

Nona is survived by her husband of 62 years, Fagan Roy Akins; children and spouses, Timothy and Lisa
Akins, Donald and Dawn Akins; grandchildren, Nicole and Heath Hawkins, Robert Akins; great
grandchildren, Caroline, Heath (“JR”), Elizabeth (“Izzie”), and Kathryn (“Kat”) Hawkins; sisters, Mary
Helen Swinney, Barbara Nelson; brother and sisters-in-law, Carlton and Bonnie Grady, John and Pat
Cusack. Many nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

Nona adored her husband, Roy. Even while in the hospital, she described Roy to the nurses as the love
of her life. They were the model husband and wife and true partners who encouraged and loved one
another so well. Many of her sons’ friends and her nieces/nephews thought of Nona as their second
mother. Nona maintained a career in insurance for over 40 years, all while having an active social life
through her involvement in Beta Sigma Phi International and planning reunions in Camden, Tennessee.
Nona’s favorite things to do were travel, drink coffee, and talk on the phone. She was the rock for Roy,
her sons, grandchildren, and extended family.

Nona said often that she lived a fairy tale life, and she certainly did. She brought joy and laughter to
everyone who was blessed to know her. She was kind, funny, loving, selfless, and level-headed. Her
motto was “happiness is a choice” and Nona chose happiness every single day, no matter her
circumstances. If you know her, you saw that. We could all learn something from her motto. She will
be missed and cherished on this side of heaven until we see her again.

Arrangements made with integrity by Shawn Chapman Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments