Melba Akins

Melba Arp Akins, age 78, of Blue Ridge, passed away peacefully at her home Thursday, October 30, 2025.
Born May 3, 1947, in Copperhill, she was the daughter of the late Jacob Desmond "Deb" Arp and Kathleen Hughes Arp.
Melba dedicated many years of her career as a bookkeeper at People's Bank and later served in the office at Fannin County High School. Deeply devoted to her faith, she was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of McCaysville/Copperhill, where she lovingly served as the church pianist for many years.
Melba enjoyed crafting-especially crocheting and working on diamond art projects. She loved to travel, and in her later years settled into her second home in Panama City Beach, Florida, where she made many new friends and enjoyed riding her golf cart along the coast. She also had a fondness for shopping, but her greatest joy came from spending time with her beloved family and her treasured fur babies.
Melba was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 53 years, James "Douglas" Akins; her brother, Richard Arp; and her infant brother, Robert Arp.
She is survived by her loving children, Dorinda (Dwayne) Cobb, Chet (Laurie) Akins, and Amanda Thomas (Mark Ward), all of Blue Ridge, Georgia; grandchildren, Ashley (Marty) Prince, Blythe (Chris) Heaton, Trudy Cobb, Blake Cobb, Amelia Akins, Claire (David) Brooks, Olivia Akins, Jack Dlugokinski, C.J. Akins, Jade Dlugokinski, Ryles Thomas, Rhett Ward, and Grey Ward; great-grandchildren, Molly Prince, Dexter Dawson, Emma Prince, Leah Heaton, and Hayden Heaton; sister, Marsha (Doug) Davenport of Epworth, Georgia; sister-in-law, Mary Kay Carlisle; and nieces and nephews, Roxanne Zaideman, Nathan Davenport, Alexis Reddin, Jacob Arp, Abby Sexton, and Gracy Arp. She also leaves behind her most beloved fur babies-Izzy, Zoey, Jimmy Buffett, and the late, Pepper.
Funeral services to honor Melba's life were held Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 3 p.m. from the Akins-Cobb Blue Ridge Chapel, with Dr. Chan Mitchell officiating. Music was provided by Clarence Burlingame. Interment followed in Chastain Memorial Park. Pallbearers were C.J. Akins, Blake Cobb, Jack Dlugokinski, Michael Tammen, Chet Akins, Mark Ward, Butch Anderson, and Doug Davenport. The family received friends at the funeral home on Saturday evening, November 1, 2025, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to Furkids Rescue, Shelters, and Sanctuary in Melba's honor.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinscobb.com.
Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge, was in charge of these arrangements.