WILMINGTON — Anna Catherine Sledge Stinson, 102, of Wilmington, passed away April 18, 2022, at Bradley
Creek Health Center at Carolina Bay. She was sleeping peacefully and had been surrounded by family who loved her dearly. There is much to be celebrated as Anna lived a long, productive and very fulfilling life.
Anna was born in Meridian, Mississippi to Thelma Pigford and Reuben Lindsay Sledge. She grew up with a large extended family of cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. She graduated from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). During World War II, Anna worked for the Army Air Corps at Key Field in Meridian, Mississippi She met and married the love of her life, Frederick Stinson, who was an Army Air Corps Officer. Anna embarked on the
adventures of being a military wife with lots of stories to share.
Anna and Fred had four children. Anna loved them dearly and was thrilled to become a grandmother and then a great grandmother. She was always thrilled to see and hold the new babies in the family. Anna was known to be a great cook and loved to entertain, she was a talented seamstress, and a diehard bridge player.
Anna and her husband Fred, who predeceased her in 1999, were married for 55 years. They enjoyed many years of world travel before and after retirement. Anna recorded many of those trips in several notebooks. She was always up for going to a new place.
At the age of 81 after the death of her husband she moved to Wilmington, NC to be close to family. She enjoyed many years at Brightmore Retirement Community. She was especially happy when her sister joined her at Brightmore where they both enjoyed many friends and activities.
In addition to her parents and husband Anna was predeceased by her sister Lillian Sledge. She is survived by her sister Thelma Kieckhaefer, her son Frederick Stinson, son Thomas Stinson and wife Karen, son David Stinson and wife Shelly, and daughter Cathy King and husband Hal. She leaves five grandchildren, Lee King and wife Katy, Andrew King and wife Jenna, Mathew King and wife Caroline, Stephanie Fuller and husband Matt, and Lisa Stinson. She also leaves eleven great grandchildren.
A celebration of Anna’s life will be held at a later date. She will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery beside her husband Frederick Stinson.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Bradley Creek Health Center and the staff of Lower Cape Fear Hospice for their compassionate care of Anna during her final years.
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Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-791-9099
