Patricia Ann Brickell Akin

Ms. Patricia (Brickell) Akin, age 73, of Tyler, Texas passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2015. Growing up in Arkansas during WWII, to parents who were raised during the Great Depression, Pat was instilled at a very young age to appreciate and be content with whatever she had. Her childhood was similar to those around her, from attending school at a young age in a one-room schoolhouse, to graduating high school in a more traditional manner. Though she wasn’t a college graduate, she was very intelligent and extremely well-read. She would voraciously read books for hours at a time. Her favorites were true crime and mystery. She was also fond of Jane Austen’s writings. But, her true passion was in the “treasure hunt” - finding treasure among trash at garage sales, flea markets and thrift stores. She loved the hunt, but more than anything, she loved to pass on her treasures to anyone who might appreciate her finds. If you showed any interest in one of her finds, she would promptly give it to you, no matter what. That was just her way, extremely generous to those around her. She enjoyed many crafts, such as crocheting and cross-stitch, as well as gardening of all types. She also had an honesty about her, where she could say out loud those things that others were thinking. And not only would she get away with it, others found her honesty refreshing and humorous! You always knew where you stood with her. Her generous and genuine spirit will be missed by all who knew her. Patricia was preceded in death by her father, Leonard T. Brickell of Jacksonville, Arkansas; her mother, Vivian (Treat) Brickell also of Jacksonville, Arkansas and her husband F. James Akin of Beaumont, Texas. She is survived by her loving family including son, Matthew J. Smith of Tyler, Texas; daughter, Stacy (Standridge) Fincher of Tyler, Texas; grandchildren, Paige Nicole Fincher, Nathanial Mason Smith and Zachary Ray Smith and brother, Eddie Brickell of Austin, Arkansas. Visitation is scheduled from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm on Friday, April 24th in the Bethany Suite at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas. If desired, memorial donations may be made to Heart to Heart Hospice of Tyler.

Patricia Ann Brickell Akin

January 30, 1942 - April 22, 2015