Hubert Akins

Funeral services for William Hubert Akins, 98, of Longview will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Longview, Texas, with Reverend Jay Jackson officiating. Burial will follow at Gum Springs Cemetery. Hubert passed away on May 23, 2024. The family will receive friends Wednesday, May 29, 2024 from 5-7 PM in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Longview.
Hubert's parents, Henry R. and Letha Ann Newman Akins, together with their children, traveled from Tennessee to Texas following the oil boom where Hubert loved to tell the story that he was born under Well No. 5 in Burkburnett, Texas, on October 31, 1925. The Akins family traveled across Texas looking for work, finally settling in Longview in 1931.
After losing his father at the age of 12, Hubert undertook his first job to help support his mother and siblings when he became a paperboy under the instruction of Carl Estes, longtime owner of the Longview newspaper. Hubert devised an ingenious idea to make more money by selling the only newspapers in his bag. He rolled the papers inside so that the name of the local paper was concealed, then he walked in the first coach car of the train at the Junction and started his sales pitch, "Paperboy! I've got the Longview, Fort Worth, Shreveport, Houston Post, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Light, Rocky Mountain News and the New York Herald. I got 'em. Who wants 'em?" Someone might ask for the New York Herald, and Hubert took their nickel. Before the buyer opened the paper to find the Longview newspaper (not the paper they thought they were buying), Hubert was in the next coach selling more papers. Hubert was so good at selling the newspapers, that when the U.S. Army opened Harmen Hospital, he was the eager boy that Carl Estes tapped to open a new market selling to the GI's in the hospital. Hubert was so successful, he had to hire two boys himself to help sell the newspapers. A salesman was born!
Once Hubert graduated from Longview High School in 1943, he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he trained at the U.S. Naval Training Station, Farraget, Idaho. He served as Yeoman, Third Class, V6, in the submarine service from January 1944 until December 1945 aboard the USS Swordfish, a submarine that cruised the Pacific Ocean. His submarine was awarded the Presidential Citation and the Pacific Theatre of Operations Ribbon.
Upon discharge from the Navy, Hubert returned to Longview. Carl Estes saw something and thought enough of him to offer to send him to the University of Missouri to study journalism, but Hubert thought he should stay closer to home to help care for his mother. He chose to enroll at the Bish Mathis Institute, majoring in accounting. In 1951, Lowell Holloway, Sr. enticed Hubert away from another employer to become his bookkeeper for his furniture store. Mr. Holloway saw Hubert's charm and friendly personality as an opportunity to make more money, so Mr. Holloway put the young man on the sales floor. Thus, beginning his career in the furniture business, which lasted for an astonishing 72 years. He and Lowell Holloway, Jr. partnered together and purchased the store from Lowell Holloway, Sr. in 1969. In 1997, Hubert became the sole owner of the store, running the business with his son, Gary, and his son-in-law, David. After the store closed in 2023, he still insisted on going to the store every day, even if it meant all he had to do was watch the news and ESPN. It was a tough retirement; the furniture business was in his DNA.
Hubert had the great fortune of having two beautiful dance partners. His first was Lucille "Lucy" Tucker. They married on September 26, 1954, and enjoyed 41 wonderful years together raising their two children, Gary and Celia, while also having fun fishing, golfing, working at the furniture store together, but mostly cutting up on the dance floor.
His second dance partner was Jane Weeks Johnston, whom Hubert married on February 18, 1996. For the next 27 years, they enjoyed traveling, lots of dancing and basking in the peace and quiet on the back porch overlooking Jane's rose garden.
Hubert was known for the love and affection he showed his family. He loved a great joke, especially if he was the one telling it. He never spoke an unkind word of anyone. His motto to his children growing up was "Frown, and you frown alone. Smile, and the whole world smiles with you." His smile was infectious, and he shared it with everyone who knew him.
Hubert was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucy, his son, Gary, his parents, three brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his wife, Jane, his daughter, Celia and husband, David, his grandsons, Brad Akins and Brent Akins and wife, Ashley, his granddaughters, Allison Akins White and husband, Landon, Lindsay Elkins Crenshaw, and husband, Jerry, and Courtney Ramsey and husband, Allen, and his daughter-in-law, Kim Akins. Also left to cherish his memory are his great-grandchildren, Tenley, Ace and Arey Akins, Callan White and Jack Crenshaw. Hubert is also survived by Jane's children, Janet Day and husband, Joe, Edgar Johnston and Jenny Johnston.
The Akins Family gratefully acknowledges Hubert's caregivers, Vanessa Hansen, Melissa Durr, Betty Holland, Liz McCarty, Shonna Newsome, Rosie Sebron and Cean Tolleson, who shared their unwavering compassion and dedication.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 400 North Fredonia Street, Longview, Texas 75601, The Salvation Army or the charity of your choice.