Alean Lampkin

Alean Akins – Lampkin (affectionately known as “Bran” to her grandchildren) was born on Thursday, April 14, 1932 to the parentage of Matthew & Addie (Scott) Steadham Akins in Nacogdoches, Texas. To that union 8 children were born. She and her siblings attended school in Nacogdoches and were raised in a close-knit community called “The Pond.”

One day back in 1950 a tall handsome fellow named Obie, that had recently returned to Nacogdoches after serving in the U.S. Armed Forces would see Alean, follow her to church and watch her through the window. Her pastor at that time was Pastor Nathaniel Henderson. Being raised in the Baptist church he would say “them holiness folk always kept up a lot of racket.” He finally asked to walk her home from church later asking for her hand in marriage. Shortly after the birth of the first child they moved to Kilgore, Texas.

The Love Story of Obie and Alean would last 65 years and to that union 5 children were born. She worked at Kilgore College for 30 years while raising her children and serving faithfully as an usher for Faith Temple C.O.G.I.C. under Pastor E.P. Allen and then Faith Temple NKA Centerpoint C.O.G.I.C. under Superintendent H.P. Jordan.

Alean had a personal relationship with her Savior Jesus Christ that she took great pride in sharing with everyone that she came in contact with. She grew up in the “Holiness” Pentecost church – Back when people made fun of tongue talking, shouting, and dancing in the spirit. When Revivals would last into the night and people would peek into the windows and laugh at how loud and noisy they were. Alean liked that JOYFUL NOISE and was often a partaker in it. She was known for her boisterous voice as she would testify eloquently about her God being “a lawyer in the courtroom and a doctor in the sickroom! A Heart Fixer, Mind Regulator, and Great Consulator - "MY GOD THANK YA.” She was often blessed to be on program (or she would add herself) to read a poem or sing what she has been become her signature song and theme for her life long walk with the Lord “WHAT MO’ CAN HE DO."

In the early hours of Saturday, October 2 ^nd , a day after calling for her mother and smiling as she fell asleep the night before – she accepted an offer she could not refuse. To be absent from her body and to present with the Lord.

Preceding her in transition were her parents - Matthew and Addie Akins, brothers Eddie Steadham, A.C. Akins, Willie Akins, McAlister Akins, and William Akins; her sisters Mertie Stoker, Lela Coleman, and Avon Redic; husband Obie Felo Lampkin and daughter Pinetha Ann Thomas.

Mother Alean Lampkin leaves to cherish her memory: her Baby Sister Mammie Mumphrey (Tyler, Texas) and Five Generations:  her children: Opal Gray (Ernest) of Longview, Texas; Ronnie Lampkin and Loretta Lampkin both of Kilgore, Texas; James Lampkin (Lisa) of Dallas, Texas; and bonus daughter Carolyn (Clifford) of San Antonio, Texas. 15 Grandchildren, 16 Great-Grandchildren, and 6 Great-Great Grandchildren and 1 arriving in November of this year. Nieces who adored and loved her, nephews whom she became proxy mothers and grandmothers to; a host of relatives and life-long friends.