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Bobbie Jean’s Mortal Journey
When this perishable body puts on imperishability,
and this mortal body puts on immortality,
then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
1 Corinthians 15:54
Bobbie Jean Fisher Akins, age 93 years, a beloved resident of Hugo, Oklahoma, peacefully departed our world on June 10, 2024, after a life richly lived in kindness and service. Bobbie Jean was born on Sunday, November 16, 1930, in Fredrick, Oklahoma. She was the fourth child of Charlie and Katie Fisher of Hugo, Oklahoma.
Bobbie Jean’s husband, R. J. Sr.; daughter, Debra Joyce Akins; two sons; R. J. Jr, and Kenneth Craig Akins; her mother, Katie Fisher; her father, Charlie Fisher; her only sister, Dorothy Ola Metcalf; and five brothers, Pastor Clarence James Fisher; Pastor Charles Dale Fisher; Pastor Carl Edward Fisher; Pastor Joe Lewis Fisher; and Louis Drew Fisher, all preceded her in death.
Bobbie Jean’s parents were devout Christians who raised her and her seven siblings in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Prior to her father becoming a church planter, the family joined Hugo Chapel Church in Hugo, Oklahoma, all the children were baptized in their youth. Bobbie Jean’s mother described Bobbie was “as always spiritual.” She appeared to know at that young age she was connected to a power greater than herself.
During Bobbie’s early childhood while in a sickly state, she had a spiritual encounter with the Lord. The doctor who came to the home stated that Bobbie would not make it through the night. However, Bobbie’s mother prayed all night, asking God to spare her life, and at daybreak Bobbie woke up singing, “I know I have been changed. The Angels in Heaven done signed my name!”
Bobbie’s elementary and secondary education was at Booker T. Washington School in Hugo, Oklahoma. She then met and married R. J. Akins, Sr. in Paris, Texas in the home of his Aunt Pinkie Alexander, with his mother-in-law Katie Fisher and his Aunt Cora Lockheart as their witnesses on February 2, 1946. Bobbie was a devoted wife and mother and a stern disciplinarian. She taught her children with, “The ‘Biblical Word’ while she trained them with ‘the rod of correction’ as a form or discipline.”
Bobbie would say, “I said what I meant, and I meant what I said.” Bobbie would rise early in the mornings and prepare food for her family, and she also prepared dinner every day. She was known throughout the community for loving God, being a devoted wife, caring for and training her children, and making sure that her children were in church every Sunday, morning through evening, and throughout the week.
Bobbie and her husband, R. J., together earned less than $5,000 a year while raising their children. They worked in the cotton fields in Chandler, Arizona with their children for thirty years until 1961. This delayed her children from starting school at the beginning of the school year. Even though the children began school after the Christmas break, they were always able to catch up and excel in their classes. Bobbie chopped cotton and wood and worked under adverse conditions throughout much of her life, and never complained to others. No matter her agony, she believed that following God’s words, with Jesus as her exemplar, she could persevere, because “God’s way was the right way.”
Bobbie always maintained her composure; she never allowed herself to show any frustration with her circ*mstances. She simply trusted God, as she believed that God is always in control, and He would, and did, carry her through anything, no matter the situation or circ*mstances.
After the days of picking cotton were over, God opened up a door and blessed Bobbie and R. J. with better jobs. Bobbie was employed by Oklahoma Rural Elderly Care (OREC). She loved transporting the elderly to their doctor’s appointments, to the grocery stores, and preparing their meals. She later decided to become an Avon representative and managed her small business for over 40 years. She enjoyed being a salesperson in the beauty and fragrance industry, interacting with people, and determining her own work hours so that the needs of her family were met. She was happy to visit customers, as she not only sold fragrance and daily need items, but she also shared the word of God and HIS goodness with her clients. She became a President’s Club member after meeting all her sales objectives, and held that honor since she began her business.
Bobbie’s name is deeply rooted in English culture and is often chosen to inspire strength and bravery in children. The name Bobbie means “Dedicated to God.” It is a name that parents may choose with the hope that their child will embody Christian characteristics and lead a life filled with courage and divine blessings. Bobbie shared that about herself when she heard the scripture Hebrew 12:14, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone, and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.” In other words, anyone who is saved and walking in the light is holy and ready to see the Lord; holiness is essential for seeing the Lord. Bobbie was convinced that serving the Lord was her highest priority.
Hebrew 12:14 changed the trajectory of Bobbie’s life. Bobbie was saved April 1951, and for 73 years she lived out the meaning of her name, “Faithful to God.” Bobie, along with 10 converts and their Pastor Moze Tyson, spent 30 days fasting and praying with a loudspeaker, playing tambourines, guitars, and singing. They prayed and the pastor preached and played his guitar until the unsaved came under the tree and accepted the Lord as their personal Savior. They built the structure that became the church, Valliant Church of God in Christ, and the building is still standing today in Valliant, Oklahoma.
After helping to establish the church in Valliant, Bobbie and her pastor and the new converts, specifically the Akins family, began work to establish the second church, which was named the Church of God in Christ #2, since there was already a #1 in Hugo. Missionary Akins was the last member standing after 62 years upon the death of her pastor, Otis Morgan. She moved her membership to Galilee Church of God in Christ under the Leadership of Pastor Kendall L. McAfee, District Missionary, and was faithful to the church until her passing.
Missionary Akins was commissioned, equipped, and anointed to be faithful to the work of the Lord. She is known throughout the community of Hugo, Oklahoma and surrounding areas as a woman of faith, full of wisdom, and remarkable strength. Missionary Bobbie was praiser, not a complainer. Some of her favorite songs she sang were, The Little Wooden Church out on the Hill, He Touched Me, Savior Do Not Pass Me By, My Soul Loves Jesus, and Don’t Let the Devil Ride. One thing that remained constant in Bobbie’s life was serving the Lord. Missionary Bobbie Jean Akins answered the call to go be with the Lord. She breathed her last breath on Monday, June 10, 2024 at 9:00 p.m. peacefully in her sleep. Bobie Jean Fisher Akins leaves a rich legacy of missionary service following the Lord’s word and doing HIS will. She is survived by: Four daughters Ruby Jewel Ladell of Hugo, Oklahoma; Bernice (William) Nared of Omaha Nebraska; Marsha (Darrel) Jordan of Edmond, Oklahoma; and Lori Roebuck of Phoenix, Arizona. Three sons: Arbrey (Mary) Akins of Del City, Oklahoma; Charley Akins of Hugo, Oklahoma; and Tony (Sondra) Akins of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. One brother: Leonard (Arlene) Fisher of Hemet, California. Two sisters-in-law: Evola Akins of Phoenix, Arizona, and Edna Fisher of Stockton, California. One adopted sister: Mattie Patterson of Inglewood, California. Four generations of grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends
The Sacred Farewell for Mother Akins will commence on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at High Noon, in the most holy sanctuary of the Wildewood Christian Church, 6900 North Kelley Avenue in Oklahoma City.
The Christian Committal will be on Monday,at 12:00 Noon in the Mount Olive Cemetery in Hugo, Oklahoma.
You may visit District Missionary Akins on Saturday morning, beginning at 10:00 AM until 11:45 AM at the Church.
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