MEMORIAL-LARKEN S. AKINS

Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HR0694

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HR0694 - 104th General Assembly

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HR0694
LRB104 20959 LAW 34782 r
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

2

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Larken
4
Sharon Akins of Chicago, who passed away on January 23, 2026;
5
and

6

WHEREAS, Larken Akins was born to Kenneth Ernest Akins Sr.
7
and Debra J. (Walls) Akins in Chicago on December 31, 1979; she
8
attended pre-K at Barton Elementary School, Kindergarten
9
through third grade at Charles H. Wacker Elementary School,
10
and fourth through eighth grade at St. Ethelreda School; she
11
graduated from Maria Catholic High School, during which she
12
volunteered as a candy striper at Holy Cross Hospital; she
13
earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health and
14
Science from Illinois State University in 2002, where she
15
worked as a resident assistant; she later earned a college
16
diploma in 2017 and a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic
17
Studies from the United States Naval War College in 2020; and

18

WHEREAS, Larken Akins began her professional career as a
19
compliance officer with the Occupational Safety and Health
20
Administration (OSHA) under the United States Department of
21
Labor in Missouri; she worked with the U.S. Department of
22
Labor for 23 years until her passing; throughout her career,
23
she was respected for her professionalism, work ethic, and

HR0694
- 2 -
LRB104 20959 LAW 34782 r
1
unwavering commitment to excellence; and

2

WHEREAS, Larken Akins was initiated into the Omicron Theta
3
Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in
4
Missouri on January 16, 2005; after returning to Chicago, she
5
transferred her membership to the Chi Omega Omega Chapter,
6
where she diligently served for many years; during her 21-year
7
tenure with the sorority, she served on several committees,
8
held many leadership positions, and participated in a wide
9
range of service projects; her final act of service was her
10
immense dedication to chartering the first chapter of Alpha
11
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in Ghana, West Africa, the Alpha
12
Delta Psi Omega Chapter, on January 16, 2026; and

13

WHEREAS, Larken Akins committed to her faith at an early
14
age while attending Englewood United Methodist Church, and she
15
often attended Antioch Missionary Baptist Church South; her
16
faith became a steady foundation, guiding her values, her
17
service to others, and the way she lived with intention and
18
grace; and

19

WHEREAS, Larken Akins was dedicated to her family, who
20
affectionately referred to her as "Lark Lark", "Lump", "Larky
21
Pooh", and "Lark Bird"; she was also an avid traveler who
22
enjoyed biking, hiking, and running, completing the Chicago
23
Marathon in 2018 and 2019; and

HR0694
- 3 -
LRB104 20959 LAW 34782 r
1

WHEREAS, Larken Akins will be remembered as a jewel with a
2
radiant smile, a true Alpha Kappa Alpha woman whose life was
3
marked by intention, purpose, and grace; and

4

WHEREAS, Larken Akins was preceded in death by her father;
5
her paternal grandparents, Benjamin Franklin Akins Sr. and
6
Ernestine (Wallace) Akins; and her maternal grandfather,
7
Lucious Walls; and

8

WHEREAS, Larken Akins is survived by her mother; her
9
brothers, Kenneth Ernest Akins Jr. and Matthew Darius Akins;
10
her nieces, Aziza A. Akins and Alina A. Akins; her fiancé,
11
Curtis Roberts; her maternal grandmother, Ethella Walls; and a
12
host of aunts, uncles, cousins, godchildren, sorors, and
13
friends; therefore, be it

14

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
15
HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
16
we mourn the passing of Larken Sharon Akins and extend our
17
sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew
18
and loved her; and be it further

19

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20
presented to the family of Larken Akins as an expression of our
21
deepest sympathy.

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