A funeral service for Mrs. Gettis Marie Brightwell Akins, age 85, of Beckville, TX, will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2013, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kim Hagedorn officiating. Interment will follow in Youngblood Cemetery near Beckville. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Mrs. Akins passed away on Tuesday evening, May 14, 2013, in Carthage, TX.

Gettis Marie Brightwell Akins was born on April 11, 1928, in Beckville, TX to Sam W. and Lola Bell Tompkins Brightwell. She graduated from Beckville High School with the class of 1945 and attended Panola College. She married Durwin Bain Akins on May 29, 1947, in Beckville and he preceded her in death on Dec. 12, 2006. Mrs. Akins lived her lifetime in Beckville, was a member of the O.E.S. #273, and was a member of the Beckville United Methodist Church. Mrs. Akins was also preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Adam Carpenter; and two brothers, Richard Ervin Brightwell and S.L. Brightwell.

Mrs. Akins is survived by her son, Sammy Akins and wife Rita of Longview; her daughter, Carolyn Coleman and husband Lee of Dallas; sister-in-law, Tillie Brightwell of Carthage; five grandchildren, Billy Carpenter and wife Shayne, Wendi Akins Pierce and husband Mike, Amy LeTourneau Taylor and husband Nathan, Scott Akins, and Matthew LeTourneau; and two great-grandchildren, Ava Carpenter and Gwen Pierce. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends also survive Mrs. Akins.

Serving as pallbearers are Matt LeTourneau, Mike Pierce, Jr., Nathan Taylor, Scott Akins, Billy Carpenter, and Mark Brightwell.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Beckville United Methodist Church, 141 E. Van Buren, Beckville, TX 75631.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.