Andrew F. "AJ" Akins-Collins

Andrew ‘AJ’ Akins–Collins, 33, passed in his sleep on November 5, 2020, in his home. Andrew was born on October 21, 1987, in Milford, Delaware, to Anjanetta Akins-Collins and Andrew Collins, Jr. He graduated from Milford High School and attended Wesley College and Wilmington University. Andrew loved fashion, helping people and was a born leader. He took these passions and began a career in retail management at the Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth as a manager for Wilson’s Leather, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, and eventually Espirit in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 2015, he relocated to Frederick, Maryland and continued working for brands such as J.Crew, Nautica, Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, and Nike. Family was important to Andrew and he spent time with his immediate and extended family as much as possible. He enjoyed sports and was a Dallas Cowboys fan. Traveling was one of his passions and he would often book vacations on a whim to places such as Paris, London and California. Andrew was a selfless person and, even in his last days, would start conversations with others with sincere concern about their well being and would often joke with them to lighten their moods, despite his own illness. AJ was preceded in death by his great- grandparents Daniel and Fannie Jane Akins; grandparents, William Kyles, Sr., Andrew, Sr. and Gloria Wright-Collins; and uncles, Willard and Dan Akins. Andrew leaves a loving family to cherish his memory, which includes his parents, Andrew Jr. and Anjanetta Collins-Akins; grandmother, Charlotte Akins; siblings, Andrew Johnson, Brandi Cobbs and Amir and Amire Collins; nieces, Sahmiah Lynn Collins and Aneeta Cobbs; nephews, Brayden Cobbs and Amari and Adrian Johnson; aunts, Elaine Akins, Stacy White (Michael) , Annette Price (Alvin), Althea Collins-Wright Gault (Robert), Zinnia Kyles, Shameeka Kyles, Arlene Collins and Angela Collins; uncles, Lonnie Akins (Mary), Daniel Akins (Vonnie) and William Kyles, Jr.; close cousins, Danielle Akins-Sayer, Laytonya White, and Michael White, Jr; godmother, Paula Drummond; goddaughter Khalyn Tilghman; an aunt in love, Robin Perry; four best friends, Darrell Davis, Wilmbily Hooper, Julius Jacobs and Dontae Tilghman; and his dog Manny. Andrew had an infectious laugh and a spirit that could light up a room; he will truly be missed by his family, friends, and colleagues. ‘No longer by our side, but forever in our hearts’

Andrew F. "AJ" Akins-Collins

October 21, 1987 - November 5, 2020