Barbara JoAnn Akins

Barbara JoAnn Bean Akins lived a marvelous 99 years on this earth, where she was called to go home with her Lord and Savior.

Barbara was born January 28, 1924, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Arthur and Irene Bean. She attended Hamline University in 1941, joined the Nurses Cadet Core, and completed her nurses training at the Asbury School of Nursing.

Barbara moved to St. Cloud, Minnesota, as an attendant at the VA Hospital where she met T.W. Akins. They were married a short time later and moved to Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

Barbara immediately went to work for Dr. Blauw and Dr. Gunter above the old fire station before the Memorial Hospital was built.  She nursed there for 27 years then became the first school nurse in Siloam Springs.

Barbara truly had a hand in the upbringing of so many children’s lives and a tremendous blessing to the Siloam Community. In 1998 she was honored with the Chamber of Commerce Pioneer Award.

Upon retiring from school, she began working at the Medical Center with Dr. Jim Huskins.

Barbara enjoyed countless trips with T.W. either camping or on the motorcycle they so enjoyed. They were married for 65 years.

She joined The First United Methodist Church in 1946 and was the oldest living member before her passing.  She was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood since 1954 and a member of JoAllen Moose’s Sunday School class for many years.

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband T.W., her son Bob, daughter-in-law Becky Akins, son-in-law Don Dorsey and siblings Marian, Harriet, Margaret and Jim. She is survived by her daughter Peggy Dorsey Jones (Larry) son Dale Akins as well as 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Timothy Team, First Church, 325 E Twin Springs, Siloam Springs, AR 72761 or Circle of Life, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, AR 72762.

A Celebration of Life will be held 10:00am, Monday, September 25, 2023 at the First Methodist Church in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.