Obituary of Corbett Akins, Texas Legend

Corbett Akins, a colorful law enforcement officer whose reputation as Panola County Sheriff in the 1940s was of near mythic proportions, died early Saturday, May 28, 1988, at Panola General Hospital.  At 95, he was the oldest living Texas who had worn a sheriff's badge.

Services were Sunday afternoon at Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Jerry Burnaman and Rev. H.B. Roquemore officiating. Burial was at Rehobeth Cemetery.

The family has requested memorials be made to the Panola County Historical and Genealogical Association's fund for restoration of the old Panola County jail building.

Mr. Akins was born October 21, 1892, in the Brooks Community.  He was the son of Joseph Lee and Winford Mangham Akins.  A lifelong county resident, he was a Methodist and a lifetime member of Carthage Masonic Lodge 521 A.F. & A.M.

Before his law enforcement career, Mr.Akins operated a service station and automobile repair shop.  By the time he retired from the sheriff's office in 1952, he had become a Texas-wide legend, partly because of his fearlessness, and partly because of his tenacity in wiping out illegal liquor production and traffic in the county.

A grandson, Dean Jones, described his grandfather as "famous for his liquor raids and famous because he always seemed able to find the stills."

Over the years Akins acquired a reputation for physical toughness and daring.  He survived repeated gunshot wounds, including one between the eyes.

As sheriff, he worked closely with the Texas Rangers and other law enforcement agencies.  Relatives and friends recall him as a lawman who inspired fear and respect, although in many cases he was loved as well.

"Lots of people looked up to him," said Jones.  "He believed in his religion, and he tried to help the people he put in jail, especially the young people. One even became a preacher."

According to Mr. Akins' own account shortly before his death, he first sought the post of constable because a then constable virtually dared him to run for the office.  That was in 1938.  After four years as constable, Mr. Akins was elected sheriff.  From 1942 to 1952 he served five consecutive two-year terms. 

A man of crusty but charismatic personality, Mr. Akins was known for compelling campaign speeches.  "He and Huey Long made the best speeches I ever heard," is the way one acquaintance described Akins' oratory.

In the last two months of his life, relatives said, he took great pleasure in the progress of restoration work at the old jail building.

Even after he was hospitalized with his last illness, his grandson said, "He asked me how work was coming on the jail.  He had spent a lot of time at that jail.  He was really happy it was being restored."

Mr. Akins is survived by his widow, Mr. Larue C. Akins; one son, C.E. "Brodie" Akins, Carthage; one brother, Howard Akins, Carthage; one sister, Ruth Weaver, Midlothian; three grandsons, Edward Dean Jones and Chad Jones, both of Carthage, and F.A. Jones Jr. of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and one great-grandson, Andy Jones of Coweta, Oklahoma.

Active pallbearers were Gordon Tompkins, Ross Johnson, Gene Giles, Ed Birmingham, Tommy Hutto, and Eldon Reeves.  Honorary pallbearers were members of the Carthage Volunteer Fire Department.

Hats Off! to Ann Morris for providing a copy of Sheriff Akins' obituary.

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03/21/05