Anne Barton Singleton

Anne Barton Singleton, 84, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center on Wednesday, December 5, 2018. Her husband Paul was holding her hand during her last breath. It was a sad but also a peaceful time as he remembered that she never met a stranger and children were always drawn to her, maybe it was because of her small size but children always wanted to hold her hand and walk with her. This happened in China, Laos, Thailand and even in the Amazon Rainforest, it was delightful to see.

Anne was born in Richmond, Virginia on July 6, 1934 to Leonard George and Mary Elizabeth Chambers George. She married Paul Singleton in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico on July 9, 1955. Anne and Paul met while students at East Carolina University when Anne worked on the college newspaper. She continued her interest in travel, reading, education, animals and plants while being a service wife. Her favorite activities included bonsai and she served as secretary of the Florida Bonsai Society. Anne and Paul attended the International Bonsai Shows and developed close and lasting friendships around the world. She was a member of the Retired Officer’s Wives Club, Save our American Rights Club, several bridge clubs and woman’s groups. She served three times as President of the Emerald Coast Republican Women’s Federation. While a member of the FWB woman’s club, she served many years as Chair of the Tour of Homes.

Anne’s favorite places to travel was to walk with the animals on Galapagos Islands, swim with the pink dolphins in the Amazon, riding elephants in Thailand, riding camels in Egypt, seeing wild orchids with a Bonsai Master in the mountains of Japan and seeing the flower market in Amsterdam. Several international Bonsai Masters visited Anne in her home. The past President of the British Bonsai Society is father to her godchildren in England. The Singleton family enjoyed travel around their many assignments. After retirement and when their children, Linda and Skip graduated college, Anne and Paul could explore other interesting areas of our great world.   

Anne was preceded in death by her parents; T. Leonard and Elizabeth Chambers George of Richmond, VA.

She is survived by her husband of 63 and a half years, Paul L. Singleton of Fort Walton Beach; daughter, Linda Singleton-Driscoll (Tom) of Richmond, VA; son, P. L. Skip Singleton Jr. (Debbie) of Washington, D.C.; sister, Jane Flowers (Deal) of Richmond, VA; nieces, Kathy Lawrence (Ed) of Kinsale, VA; Leslie Lauston (Dave) of Strafford VA. and Betsy Kelly (Jim) of St. Augustine, FL.; godchildren, Sophia and Dominic Bradder of Derbyshire, England and numerous friends.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, January 13, 2019 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Two Trees Restaurant, 1955 Lewis Turner Boulevard, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32547. All friends of Anne and family are invited to attend.

Honoring her wishes, she was cremated and interment will take place at a later date with her husband Paul at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of gifts or flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society, 752 Lovejoy Road NW, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32547; Save Our Cats or Kittens, 498 Carmel Drive, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32547, your church or charity of your choice.

To share memories, express condolences and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.daviswatkins.com.