Bonnie Jean Akins, loving mother and grandmother, slipped peacefully from this life on Sunday, May 5, 2013 in Cabarrus County, NC. She was born August 3, 1947 in Memphis, TN. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Akins, Jr. Mrs. Akins is survived by her sisters, Donna Marshall of Millington, TN, Debbie Duke of Lawrenceville, GA, Patty Cummings of Tallapoosa, GA, and her brother, Mike Haynes of Atlanta, GA. She leaves behind her daughter, Tammy Bates of Concord, NC; her son, James Payne of Concord, NC; her grandchildren, Crystal Payne of Warner Robins, GA, Jamie Payne of Drummonds, TN, Blake Coker of Tennessee, Chelsea Payne, Meghan Payne, Austin Payne and Noah Payne all of Ecru, MS. She also leaves three great-grandchildren, Darrion Littlejohn, Kory Pettigrew, and Journey Akers. Her life''s work was to celebrate successes and forgive failures. She loved reading and music. A life-long resident of Memphis, TN, she broadened her horizons in her later years when she made the move to Concord, NC to be near her daughter. Visitation will be held at Forest Hill Funeral Home at 2440 Whitten Rd, Memphis, TN on Friday, May 10 from 12-2 p.m., with a graveside service immediately following. The family requests that any memorials be sent to Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081. Forest Hill East Funeral Home (901) 382-1000