Ann Stinson Robinson

Ann Stinson Robinson lived life to the fullest until the ripe old age of 97. She passed away on January 4, 2025, in her most beloved town of DeFuniak Springs. Ann was born in Pensacola, Florida on September 4, 1927, to Cecil Carl and Marie Mosely Stinson. With DeFuniak Springs as home throughout her childhood, she graduated from Walton High School, and then became a proud graduate of Florida State University. She was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church. 

A long-time student of Julia Byrd McDonald, from age six to seventeen Ann studied deportment, etiquette, and public recitation – skills that she continued to practice throughout her lifetime. During her time at Florida State, she began her lifelong membership of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. After college graduation, Ann spent many years in different teaching roles. While the type of students varied throughout her career, Ann’s passion to see growth in others was unceasing. She first taught grammar school, then deaf students at the high school level, then preventative dentistry for children and parents of her husband’s dental practice, and then she taught etiquette to both adults and children. 

Ann attended the Chautauqua Institution in New York for 10 summers in a row and was a respected leader in the Florida Chautauqua as well – she loved all things Chautauqua. Also, as a founding a member of Walton County’s Official Folk Life Production, Grit and Grace, Ann served as the first President, a position she held for a number of years, and she performed in the show for many seasons – even in the 2023 season at 95 years of age.

She adored her parents and her memories with them were incredibly special to her. She also treasured the years she was able to spend with her horse, Citation, and her childhood dog, Sport. Later in life, her chihuahuas Scout and Jean Louise brought her much joy. Traveling, hosting parties, enjoying good food, and time with friends were more of Ann’s favorite things. Her precious friend Sally Spencer of Clearwater, Florida and many, many friends and relatives and acquaintances - especially John, Greg, Nancy, Ray, Jan and Genevieve – were dear to her. With her house on Circle Drive, she was the consummate host and always had an open door. 

Ann is survived by her son Craig Stinson Robinson and her most adored granddaughter, Opal Marie Robinson. 

She is preceded in death by her husband Aubrey G. Robinson, son, Bruce Robinson, daughter, Celia Robinson, and her parents, Cecil and Marie Stinson. 

Memories of Ann will be a blessing to her loved ones for many years to come. Her son, Craig, will always remember his mother’s bravery demonstrated during an event at Grayton Beach when Ann, despite the spotting of a shark, swam out to retrieve her aunt, Gladys Covell, after Gladys had been drug out by the undertow with her grandchildren.

Some sayings she leaves behind that will serve as an encouragement to those who knew her are - “Progress is messy, Son”, “Well, gut up and go!” and “We choose our friends from the ones we are most comfortable with.”

Though Ann encountered great loss in her lifetime through the death of her father in 1936 when she was only eight years old, her first child, Bruce, in 1980, her dear husband, Aubrey, in 1997, and her daughter, Celia, in 2011, she refused to succumb to tragedy. Keeping her head held high and her principles intact, she never wavered in her devotion and service to those she loved. In her most recent years, she aged gracefully, without ever a complaint.

Craig and Opal would be honored by donations made to First Presbyterian Church of DeFuniak Springs in Ann’s memory.