Jeffrey Lorenzo Akins Jr.

Jeffrey Lorenzo Akins Jr., was born Tuesday, September 24, 1991, in Seaford, Delaware, to Lois Brown and Jeffrey Akins, Sr. Jeffrey, also known as Jeff, departed his earthly home on Saturday, August 8, 2020, at the age of 28. Jeff grew up in Seaford, Delaware and was raised in a loving family. As a child, he attended Milford Revival Center, and later, Trinity Holiness Church in Frankford, Delaware, under the leadership of Apostle Larry Morris. He was educated in the public schools of Seaford, Delaware, graduating with the Class of 2011. Jeff loved sports and was a gifted member of the football, baseball, track and basketball teams. His teammates nicknamed him “J ROC”. He generously gave his time to coach basketball for Seaford Parks & Recreation and enjoyed volunteering in various other community activities such as Impact, Seaford Parents for the Education of African American Kids (SPEAAK), Gentlemen’s Club mentoring and was director at Team LYFE (Live Your Future Everyday). In 2017, he received the Carlos Hodge Appreciation Award for his many community contributions. Jeff held various positions including the Seaford School District and the Western Sussex Boys and Girls Club and most recently, with Sun Behavioral Health. He was making preparations to enlist with the Delaware National Guard in January and was engaged to be married to his love, Katonya Banks. Jeffrey was a people person. He loved to talk to everyone he met and would give you his last, if needed. His son, Karter and family were very important to him. His life can be summed up in the words from his Man UP Family: “With tremendous sadness and pain, our Man Up family and brotherhood are mourning the loss of our dear brother, Jeffrey Akins. For nearly 20 years, Jeff has been intimately a part of our lives and we have been blessed with his gentle spirit, humble attitude and infectious smile. Jeff was so resilient, tough-minded and incredibly respectful. Oh what a job Ms. Lois has done in raising her little ‘Jef-frey’. If you ever wanted to turn his smile upside-down, say something crazy about his family, especially his momma and son. Boy, he loved his momma, fiancé and his son! He has an extra special place in our hearts because of the powerful bond he had with his “Fab Four” Boyz and our eldest son, as well as being god-dad to our eldest grandson. He was a gifted athlete in basketball, football and track, as well as being a protector who didn't like to see anyone taken advantage of.” With so much love, Dr. Ju, Mrs. Tasha, Dr. Britt and our entire Man Up Family Jeffrey was preceded in death by his brother, Daniel Akins; son, Kaleb Banks-Akins; paternal grandparents, Fannie & Daniel Akins Sr., and maternal grandfather, William Brown. Jeffrey leaves to cherish his memory, his son Karter; parents, Lois Lofton (Solomon), Jeffrey Akins, Sr. (Marneeta); his fiancé, Katonya Banks; one brother, Charles Robinson; seven sisters, Ajee & Janay Robins, Ticara Akins, Sharronda (Darius) James, Marneshia Whaley, Shamiya Turner & Brandi Cobbs; maternal grandmother, Patricia Mann; ten aunts, Marlene Mann, Brenda Corsey (Victor), Berneda Brown, Velda Mann, Rochell Williams, Deanna Williams & Marsha Nurul-Islam; Charlotte, Althea & Sally Mae Akins; four uncles, Lamont Akins, Sr., Gary Akins, William Lahue, and Travis (Anduni) Adamson; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. In addition, Jeff was blessed to have a special circle of friends/family which included: Lashyra Williams, Monica Whitney, Rashawn Church, Vincent Glover, Troy Purnell, Julius Mullen, Jamare Tazwell, Damoyne Willis, LaDarris Gibbs, Jeffrey Purnell, Deron Wright, and Veronte Kenney; mentee, Mario Fisher; “The Fab Four”, of which he was a part: Juwan Mullen, Jason Owens and Andre Allen; godchildren, Kyree, Vincent & Ari and last, but not least, his special “little people”, his nieces; Jada, Antionette, Toni, Kori and MaKylah; nephews, Josiah, Shyhiem, Jaye’lyn & Kyren and his little mentee, Cam. The list grows from his tenure coaching with Seaford Parks & Recreation and working with the youth.

Jeffrey Lorenzo Akins Jr.

September 24, 1991 - August 8, 2020