Coping with Grief
We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Messages run for up to one year and you can stop at any time. Your email will not be used for any other purpose.
Mary Wilma Akal, met her Heavenly Father and entered eternal peace on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at the Harlan Appalachian Regional Hospital in Harlan, KY.
Mary was born on December 21, 1945, in Lynch, Kentucky unto the union of Major and Leona Myrick Brown. Mary accepted the Lord as her savior and became a faithful member of the Greater Mount Sinai Baptist Church.
When you look at the sunshine that was Mary’s smile, big bright and soul-warming. She was a giving, loving and encouraging lady. She believed in lifting people up, helping when she could and just sharing her wisdom of life with the younger generation. She often worried about the future of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She spoke fondly of past time memories when life was easier. She talked of being young and meeting one handsome guy, named Hewitt Akal, that later became her husband of forty-two years at his passing on March 31, 2013. Mary was a dedicated wife, mother and sister. She wore many hats in the family, the one she enjoyed most was being the applauding, prideful grandmother on the side lines at her grandkids sporting events, cheering them on no matter win or lose. She loved them beyond words.
Mary was an excellent cook. She cooked the best food ever. Her fried chicken and collard greens were amazing. She would often share recipes with those clueless and helped make better cooks in the kitchen. Mary had a way of making the worse day a little better. She would say, “If you look hard enough, you can always find something good in all situations!” “Now, be strong and make yourself proud!” Some wonderful memories and eye-opening experiences were made on her back porch. Mary loved to sit and enjoy a cool evening breeze and excellent conversation. She became the greatest neighbor, friend, stand-in-mother, grandmother, mentor and confidant to some in her community. She shared her life experiences in hopes to make YOU a better version of yourself.
Mary will forever be missed. We ask for prayers in the upcoming days for her entire family and community. We have lost another anchor in the ship of life.
Mary is preceded in death by her precious parents, Major and Leona Myrick Brown, loving husband, Hewitt Akal, devoted sisters, Johnetta Thompson, Viola Brown, Ann Peterson, Rose Brown, Shirley Peavey, dedicated brothers, Major JR, Marvin, and James Brown.
Her home going celebration will be remembered by her sons, Derrick Akal and Hewitt Akal, JR, daughters, Katina Akal and Sherry Sanders, sisters, Charlene Hicks, Geraldine Kirkland, Cynthia Harrington, Juanita Brown, Linda Brown, brothers, Richard Brown, Larry Brown and Tyrone Brown, grandchildren, Derek Akal, Shent'nyque Pinkston, Jaylen Akal, Jordan Akal, Darius Akal, great grandchildren, Kamariana La’Gracee Akal, Taylan and Zariyah Akal. A host of other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be Sunday, May 22, 2022 at 1 p.m. with Funeral services at 2 p.m. at the Greater Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Lynch, Kentucky with Rev. Ronnie Hampton officiating.
Burial will follow in the Monte Vista Cemetery in Cumberland, KY.
Family and Friends will serve as pallbearers.
The Staff and Management of Johnson and Cumberland Valley Funeral Home is Honored to serve the Akal/Brown Family.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Wilma Akal, please visit our floral store.