Viester Akins

With her caring heart and gentle touch, Viester Akins was a genuine mother through and through whose motherly touch extended far beyond her own children. She loved to socialize with friends and was quite a talker, yet she also used her quiet spirit and soft-spoken words to bring tranquil comfort to hurting souls. Viester found peace and fulfillment within the words of her Bible, and her faith became the solid rock that sustained her when she was challenged with adversity. She was truly an extraordinary woman whose kind and tender heart will be so dearly missed. It was in the year 1927 that Charles Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic, the motion picture industry was revolutionized with the first all-talking movie, and more than six million farmers in our country earned just over $500 for the entire year. This year was also marked by the birth of a beautiful baby girl named Viester, on November 24th in Columbia, Arkansas. Born as the second child to Crawford and Gladys (George) Mallory, Viester was one of eight children in her family and was raised on the 200-acre family farm. Her father worked the fields while her mother tended to the home and children. Viesters father worked hard in order to eventually purchase the farm a dream he did indeed fulfill, and was quite an accomplishment in those days. By the end of 1929, our nation had become gripped by the Great Depression making times difficult for many families and Viesters was no exception. The children had their share of chores which included supplying their father with food and water while he labored in the fields. Although times were difficult, their love for one another and family unity attributed to their ability to always make things work. There were events during Viesters childhood that very much affected the woman that she one day became. She was raised in the Baptist faith, but Viester also attended services with members of her family that were Jehovahs Witnesses from time to time. Viester completed school through the eighth grade which was common in those days. She developed mothering skills at an early age as her mother was often ill and died when Viester was just a teenager. With so many younger siblings, Viester tenderly fulfilled many of the duties that mothers so often do. In search of better opportunities, in 1946 Viester moved to Muskegon, Michigan, where her brother was living with relatives. The rest of their family soon joined them, and they settled into a house on the west side of Muskegon Heights while her father found work at Lakey Foundry. Viester was blessed with a beautiful daughter Mary and they continued to live with her family at their home on Glade Street. She found work at various places including Al Hooker Country Store, which her brother was running at the time, as well as at several area restaurants. Viester gave birth to another bouncing baby girl Debora, and was yet blessed again with a bubbly little girl Cassandra. Life turned in an exciting direction when Viester was introduced to Anderson Tee Akins through her brother Levester. Tee worked at the CWC Foundry and after dating for a time, Viester and Tee were married in October of 1964. The family settled into a house which became their family home on Reynolds Street in Muskegon Heights. Tee adopted Debora and Cassandra, and in 1967, Viester and Tee welcomed their son Michael into their hearts and home. In addition to raising her children, Viester worked part-time at restaurants, in the cafeteria at several local schools even serving as the cafeteria supervisor for Lindbergh School, and also as a nurses aid at White Ledge Nursing Home. Family was always of the utmost importance to Viester, and she showed her love for each member in a variety of ways. There were numerous family gatherings, picnics, and trips to the beach where precious memories were made. When her children were grown, Viester continued to see them as often as she could, and was thrilled to become a grandmother. In fact, she attempted to be present at the birth of as many grandchildren as she was able, and saw being a grandmother as her highest calling. Viester was even actively involved in raising many children of relatives and also her grandchildren at times, her motherly touch fully embracing these children as if they were her own. Later in life, Viester enjoyed more activities since her children were grown and on their own. Viester become reconnected in the early 70s in the Jehovahs Witness faith and became very involved at the South Congregation in Muskegon. However, she would spend the remainder of her years at Central Congregation in Muskegon. She was also able to participate in field ministry on a regular basis with friends and relatives. Additionally, she led Bible studies within the community. Viester enjoyed to knit, embroidery, and crochet. She was also a talented cook who was especially famous for her chocolate pies and peach turnovers. In the late nineties, Viesters husband Tee became ill, and she cared for him as best she could until his death in 2001. A short time later, Viester moved into the Park Woods Apartments and then later to Nelson Place. She continued reading her Bible daily and enjoyed visiting with her siblings Bill, Floyd, Anna Mae and Pearl regularly to visit and study the scriptures together. Over the years, Viester struggled with numerous health issues of her own. Eventually the years took a toll on Viesters body and she drew her last breath surrounded by her loving family. Whether she was doing a crossword puzzle, caring for her ailing husband, or laughing with a grandchild, Viester sparkled like a precious gem. The love she had for everyone around her radiated from her every fiber. Viester was such a special woman in so many ways and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Viester Akins died Tuesday, August 18, 2009. Viesters family includes her son, Michael Akins of Muskegon; daughters, Mary (Freddie) Walker of MN, Debora (Calvin) Akins-Smith of Muskegon, Cassandra (Derrick) Crowal of CT; 12 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; siblings, Floyd Mallory, Anna Melton, Pearl Mallory, William Mallory; special nephew, Normal Melton, and several other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Anderson in 2001; siblings, VeraLee Banks, Levester Mallory & Lois Gordon. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2009, 1:00 p.m. with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall on Apple Ave. with Fred Lakes officiating. A reception will be held at Clock Life Story Funeral Home Family Center on Peck Street following the service. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to Harbor Hospice or National Kidney Foundation of Michigan.