Donna Murray Akins

Donna Elaine Murray-Akins was born on January 21, 1945 to James V. Irby and Mary L. Irby in Cincinnati, Ohio. Donna attended Woodward High School. After graduation, she married Edward Murray, Jr. in 1961. From this union, three children were born: Yvette Murray, Vada Murray (who preceded her in death) and Tracy Murray.
Donna united with First Baptist Church of Kennedy Heights in 1963 and was baptized under the late Rev. Earl Wagner, where she sang in the Gospel Choir under direc- tor, Joe Venus. Later she joined the Women’s Ensemble under Frank Payne.
After her 25 year marriage ended, Donna united in marriage to Wiley L. Akins. Donna left First Baptist and joined Greater Liberty Baptist Church, under Pastor Ron Mabry. She worked for the Usher Board and later joined the Mass Choir. During her service to God, she worked for 10 years at Fusite Corp., left and started in a better position at Mead Paper Board, later the Rock Tenn Paper Board for 32 years and retired in 2007.
Donna leaves to treasure her many memories: her husband, Wiley L. Akins (13 years); her children, Yvette Murray and Tracy Murray; daughter-in-law, Sarah Murray; two sisters, Brenda McCoy (Wardell) and Joy Cullins; three brothers, Jimmy Irby, Victor Irby and Todd Irby; 10 grandchildren, Dante Kelly-Murray (Kristen), Derico V. Murray (Tara), Monet Murray (Julian), D’Juan Murray (Adrienne), Dion C. Howard, Jr., Dionte Howard, Deric Murray, Kendall Murray, Harper Murray and her adopted grandchild, Jamiah Davis; 10 great-grandchildren, Alex Curry-Zigler, Simmone Murray, Sidney Murray, Jayden Murray, Corie Crawford, Jayla Murray, Legend Morgan, Madison Murray, Honor Morgan and Imari Murray; her longtime friends, Irene Evans, Arlene Franklin and Deborah Jackson, who she loved like sisters; and a host of family and friends.