Hannah Kathryn Akin

Hannah Kathryn Akin was born August 1, 1993 in Memphis, Tennessee and entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 in Springdale, Arkansas after a hard-fought battle with addiction and diabetes. Hannah was the eldest daughter of William Allen Akin and Demitra Dawn Hutchison and entered the world as her grandparent’s first grandchild. She became a big sister in 1995 with the birth of her younger brother, Damon Allen Akin, who she commonly referred to as “Baby Bruddy”. With a bubbly laugh and infectious smile from an early age, it was easy to see how quickly Hannah could steal the hearts of those around her. Growing up, Hannah’s tenacity and strong will drove her success on the softball field. While living in Louisiana, Hannah honed her craft as an ace pitcher and first baseman on the softball diamond – having joined a traveling team, she made countless friends and earned the respect of her long-time coach, Ms. Patty, as a reliable choice for pitching, fielding, and batting in the starting lineup or off the bench. Hannah loved animals. Although she never formally completed a degree in veterinary sciences, her dream was to attend Louisiana State University and become a vet to help fur- friends of every species. She loved her cats (of all sizes), namely Honey and Sugar, and was captured by the companionship of her Border Collie, Callie, who stuck by her side for nearly 15 years. After the family’s move to Northwest Arkansas, Hannah fell in love with Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, a big cat rescue based in Eureka Springs. There were countless mentions of a dream to join their staff to help recuperate wildlife like tigers, lions, and other big cat species. Hannah’s life was full of highs and lows, laughter and sorrow, success and struggle. While there were many hardships that Hannah faced in her later years, Hannah had a fierce love for her family and was surrounded by a family that loved her terribly, even when tough love was the only option available. She is preceded in death by her great-grandmother, Ruth Louise Baker Akin, grandparents June Carliss Fooshee Hutchison and Mary Kate and Davis Elmo Akin, and uncle Damon Wade Hutchison. She is survived by her parents, Allen Akin and Demitra Leist (husband – Carlton), her brother Damon, grandfather Harold Benson Hutchison, aunt Andrea Akin “Ea” Ebbitt (husband – Taylor), uncle Ernest Andrew “Andy” Akin (wife – Wendy), and cousins Alex Dillenbeck (wife – Shelbi) and Mitchell Dillenbeck, among countless other family members who loved her, prayed for her, and will miss her sweet smile dearly. While Hannah’s life was cut tragically short by the clutch of sickness and addiction, her departure does not mean goodbye, but by the grace of our Lord, she will be reunited with family once again. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in honor of Hannah’s life to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.

Hannah Kathryn Akin

August 1, 1993 - May 7, 2024