Joan Ann (Stafford) Akins 74, daughter of the late Walter Matthew Stafford and Florence M. (Sweeney) Stafford was born May 23, 1943 in Boston Massachusetts. Joan was called from this earthly life to rest peacefully by our loving God on November 22, 2017 at the Elliot Hospital in Manchester, NH after months of declining health.
Joan was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. She was also employed by Standard Sash and Door, Purity Supreme, Treasure Masters, and Klev Bros. Joan enjoyed spending time with her family, worshipping her Lord and Savior, walking and listening to music. Joan was a prayer warrior for her beloved family and her friends. Joan will surely be missed by all.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Samuel O. Akins, three daughters, Joanne Marie Miller and her husband Paul Miller Jr. of Derry, N.H., Patricia Lynne Akins of Salem, N.H., and Melody Christine Englund of Manchester, N.H., two sons, Samuel Joseph Akins and wife Erin Akins of Draper, UT, Scott James Akins and wife Liza Zwiebach of Doraville, GA , brother Joseph Stafford, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her granddaughter Brida Elizabeth Akins, four brothers; Walter, Robert, Peter and Edward Stafford and four sisters; Mary Agnes Stafford McHaffa, Irene Burke, Claire Flynn and Georginna Gaeta.
The family wants to express a special thank you to all the doctors, nurses and staff at Elliot Hospital for all the exceptional and tender care that Joan received. We are eternally grateful. We also, want to recognize the care Joan has received throughout many years from The Center for Life Management in Derry. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to either Elliot Hospital at https://donate.elliothospital.org/checkout/donation, or NAMI (National Alliance of the Mentally Ill) at https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Donate
Calling hours were held on Monday November 27, 2017 from 5 - 7pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. Funeral services were held on Tuesday at 10:30am at the Londonderry Christian Church, 372 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry, NH. Burial was on Wednesday in the Forest Hill Cemetery, E. Derry.