Jeanette Miller AKIN

On Monday, March 30, 2020, Jeanette Miller Akin passed away in her home surrounded by family after a long, courageous battle with an extended illness. She was born June 23, 1950, to the late Col. John F. Miller and Rubie Lillian Jones Miller. She was born at Ft. Clayton in Balboa, Canal Zone, Panama. Jeanette graduated from Kaiserslautern American High School in Germany and Texas Women's University where she majored in nursing. Upon graduation she returned to the home where her parents and family lived. She enjoyed life as a nurse at Wadley Regional Medical Center from her first day in May, 1972 until her retirement on the last day of September of 2019. She held many administrative positions at Wadley retiring as the risk manager of the hospital. She loved and honored all those she worked with and supervised at work and always had time to warmly comfort patients and their families in their times of crisis. She also found time to be a loving mother, grandmother, sister and aunt to a large family. She is survived by her son Chris Akin and daughter-in-law Megan of Syracuse, New York and five grandchildren being Claire, Charlie, Lucy, Mason and Avery of Syracuse. She also had the distinction of being survived by an identical twin sister, Jennifer Miller Black, who likewise was a nurse and teacher before retirement. Jeanette is also survived by her brother-in-law, Jerry Black. Other survivors include her brother, Judge John F Miller, Jr and her sister-in-law Gloria Miller. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family from both her late parents. Jeanette was blessed through life with many unique experiences. She lived her first years in Panama and lived in Northern Virginia when her Father was assigned to the President as a military attaché in the White House. She attended school in Germany. She always loved to come back home to spend time with her grandparents on West Ninth Street and in Mandeville, Arkansas. And she had a son who followed her father's footsteps by serving in the USAF in time of national need. She dearly loved her church and was very active in it. She belonged to Hardy Memorial United Methodist Church where she actively was a Sunday School Teacher of the Service Class, participated in Bible Studies, UMW Treasurer and always overseeing the preparation and organization of the Hardy UMW Turkey Dinner. She had a special love for her church and its members and will be sorely missed by all. Because of the uniqueness of the present health situation, Jeanette instructed that her funeral service be limited to a graveside service for the immediate family only through Chapelwood. At a later date, once the public health crisis passes, she requested a celebration of life for family and friends. She has a deep love for all the extended family and all her friends and neighbors but wanted to make sure all were well and safe. Her message to them is from the Book of Corinthians, "now faith, hope and love abide, these three, and the greatest of these is love". For those who wish to come by the funeral home, the body will lie in state beginning Tuesday at 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM, and again on Wednesday from 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM at Chapelwood Funeral Home. Friends and family may sign the online guest book at www.chapelwoodfuneralhome.com.