Diana Lynn Malone Akins

Diana Malone Akins passed away peacefully on September 14, 2026. She is preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Jewel Hammond, and sister Nancy. She leaves behind a brother, Timmy Hammond, along with her four children, Jeff Johnson (Sherri), Greg Malone (Mary Jayne), Joy Cloutier (Luc) & David Malone (Carissa), nine grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Diana was born in Anaheim, CA on June 6, 1944 (D-Day), the second of three children. During the early years of the “Jesus Movement” (Calvary Chapel, 1960’s-‘70s), under teaching of Chuck Smith, she was “reborn” when she placed her trust in Christ as her Lord and Savior.

Soon after (1970’s-mid-1980’s) Diana would begin her many years of service to the church as she led worship and taught Bible studies at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (Jacksonville, FL). Her serving skills were enhanced as she relocated to Tallahassee, FL where she continued ministering to those at Covenant Community Church and later Wildwood Presbyterian Church. There she also founded Reconciliation Ministries, allowing her to begin a lifetime of service to many churches as a lay counselor.

In 2001 Diana returned to her home state of California where she cared for her aging mother while simultaneously serving as a lay pastor with Harbor Church (San Diego). As much as she enjoyed being there, in 2014 she transitioned back to the South (Atlanta, GA) to be near her children and grandchildren. She continued to counsel and mentor up until her final breath, having employed her time thinking about and loving everyone she came in contact with.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Trinity Anglican Church (Atlanta) on September 25, 2026 at 11am.