Akiko Eto Kitchens Obituary
It is with much love and deep sorrow that we mourn the passing of Akiko Eto Kitchens on October 18, 2024, at the age of 96.
Akiko was born on February 18, 1928, in Tokyo, Japan, to her parents Fumio and Wakako Eto. She was the second child after her sister Kyoko. Her younger siblings are her sister Yoko and her brothers Tsukasa and Toru.
At the age of 17, Akiko and her father survived the bombings of Tokyo in 1945. This experience instilled in her a remarkable strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
Six years later, she met James D. "JD" Kitchens, a member of the USAF stationed in Japan. They fell deeply in love, married, and relocated to the United States, where Akiko, affectionately nicknamed Molly by her family and friends, embraced Western culture with grace. As a devoted wife and a nurturing stay-at-home mother to their six children, she created a loving and supportive home.
Akiko had a passion for gardening, cooking, reading, and watercolor painting. She loved traveling with JD in their RV and enjoyed cruises with family. She was particularly known for making holidays special—baking delicious fruitcakes for Christmas and preparing memorable Thanksgiving dinners year after year.
So many people adored Akiko, and those who knew her well called her an angel because of her love, compassion, and kindness. She was almost always smiling, and when she hugged you, you could feel her love. It was real.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 69 years, James D. Kitchens; her son Jerry; her sister Kyoko Eto; sisters-in-law Cheryl Kitchens and Jane Bevans; and brother-in-law Tom Kitchens.
She will be fondly remembered by her surviving children: Richard (Debbie), Michael (Karen), Patricia (Joe), David, and Lisa (Travis); her grandchildren: Michael Prude, Bryan, Lisa, Sara, and Zoee White; great-grandchildren: Aubrey, Alexander, Amelia, Allison, Megan, Jessie, Bradley, Keely Akiko, Owen, and Koda; and great-great-grandchildren: Ellie, Canaan, Adolyn, and Remi.
Her legacy of love, kindness, and resilience will continue to inspire all who knew her.
A memorial graveside service will be held on Friday, November 1, 10:00 am, at Forest Hill-East, 2440 Whitten Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38133.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Humboldt, 3327 Timber Fall Ct, Eureka, California 95503.
