Karen Louise Hyde Akin, 73 of Mills River, NC passed away on July 25, after a brief and sudden onset of Endometrial Cancer. Born to Simeon Hyde III and Cecile Elizabeth Rowe Hyde of Houston, TX on December 30, 1943, Karen spent her childhood in LaPorte, Texas. As a member of the LaPorte High School Marching Band Majorette Team, she gained her strength from friendships, humor, and service to family and community. Karen was baptized and confirmed in St. John’s Episcopal Church and attended Camp Allen in the Summer. Graduating from LaPorte High School in 1962, Karen attended Winthrop College in Rock Hill, SC and studied Early Childhood Development. After raising her family, she worked as a Special Education Teacher’s Assistant with Dorchester County School District in SC until she retired from Buncombe County School System in 2003. Karen and Ross Akin were married on May 28, 1983, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Summerville, SC. Years later the family moved to Asheville to pursue a life in the Appalachian Mountains, making their home in Asheville. Karen and Ross found themselves hiking, gardening, enjoying scenic drives on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and trips to Montana. Their most fond memories are of the quiet times spent together not worrying or stressing over the trivial things but enjoying mountain views from their home and porch. Karen was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Not a holiday passed without children’s books and seasonal necessities that filled their lives with joy. Her years were spent loving her family, planning family meals and celebrating the seasons of the church. Karen was well known for her dry and poignant sense of humor and ability to embrace the spirit of each moment. Karen had the capacity to give practical sound advice that reduced drama and helped clarify the meaning of life. Karen is survived by her husband Ross Haydon Akin of Mills River, NC; children Hyde Griffith & Cynthia Lee Mazat Griffith (Austin, TX), Katherine Louise (Griffith) Hensley & David Hensley (Asheville, NC), Roberston Griffith & Abigail Campbell Griffith (Asheville, NC); grandchildren Emma Loge (Griffith) Hahn and Joshua David Hahn (El Paso, TX), Luke Hoskins Griffith (College Station, TX), Lily Elizabeth Griffith (Austin TX), Elliott Hyde Hensley, Elizabeth Ross Hensley, Alice Hunter Hensley, and Della Barbara Jo Griffith (all Asheville, NC); great-grandchildren Samuel Jonathan Hahn and Cora Lorelle Hahn (both El Paso, TX); and brother, Samuel Rowe Hyde (Houston). She is predeceased by her granddaughter, Helen Louise Hensley on Nov. 6, 2005. Karen peacefully passed away at Deerfield Episcopal Center after celebrating 34 years of life with her beloved husband. Words of appreciation and thanks from her family to the staff of Deerfield Episcopal Center, where Karen was cared for with compassion, humility, attentive nursing. Karen was a traditional and faithful Episcopalian who embraced her illness with grace. Even as her cancer progressed, she continued to look towards the next transition in her life. Karen embodied the essence of peace, patience, and faith to everyone she touched. A service to celebrate the Resurrection to Eternal Life will be held September 8, 2017, at 11 am. Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church Street, Asheville NC. Reception to follow in Tuton Hall. On Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The American Cancer Society and Trinity Episcopal Church Outreach Committee. I am the resurrection and the life, He who believes in me will never die.

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