Donna Lee Akala

Donna Lee Akala was born to Mollie and Herman Grimes on May 13, 1951 in Long Beach,
California. She was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years John Akala; her Parents
Mollie and Herman Grimes; an older sister Ruth (DeeDee) Grimes, and an older brother Otis
Grimes. Donna is survived by her 5 children, Brounche Green, Hasani Green and his wife
Candy, Isaya Akala, Beridah (Indoshi) Akala, and Shivonje Akala; Her grandchildren, Brionshay,
Jaquan, Victoria, Zakiyah, Stefuan and Azaria Green; Two sisters, Ella Mae Sherrad and Linda
Hill; Two brothers, Herman and Charles Grimes; Nieces Stacey Dixon, Regina Payne, Nephews
Rasheed Richardson, and Siherre Richardson, and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. Donna resided in Orange County, CA for 41 years until she relocated to Cecil County, MD in
1992. Donna attended Cal State Fullerton on a music scholarship, graduated from Cypress
College, and also attended Cecil College's program for nursing. Donna worked for the Cecil
County Health Department as a community outreach coordinator until her retirement in 2000.
Donna was a talented violinist in her youth and had a love of opera music, science fiction
movies & television, and the animal crossing series of video games. Donna was known for her
love of plants and animals and had many exotic pets throughout her life. Donna was well known
by both family and friends for her culinary abilities and had several family famous dishes such
as her chicken enchiladas and peach cobbler. Donna has been one of Jehovah's Witnesses since 1974. She had a deep love for Jehovah, the
ministry and his creation. She was a regular pioneer with the Anaheim Central congregation in
the 1980's and was a regular pioneer for nearly 10 years with the Iron Hill congregation in
Newark DE. Donna would share many scriptures from the bible with her friends and family for
encouragement. One of her favorite scriptures to share was:
With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: "Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and
he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he
will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more neither will mourning nor
outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." (Revelation 21: 3-4)
Donna was well loved by her family and her congregation. Even though she will be greatly
missed by all we are glad that she can truly now sleep in peace.