Ann W. Stevens

Mary Ann Watkins Stevens, beloved wife, mother, sister, friend, and community leader, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2026, at the age of 83.

Born in 1943, in Inverness, Mississippi, Ann was the daughter of Joseph Wesley Watkins, Jr. and Mary Alice Catlette. She grew up in Inverness and attended the University of Mississippi (‘Ole Miss), graduating in 1967 with a degree in Anthropology. She carried throughout her life the warmth, grace, and hospitality of her Southern upbringing, touching many lives with her kindness, generosity, and vibrant spirit.

After she graduated, she obtained a job in Brussels, Belgium and met her husband, Thomas Edward Stevens Jr., who was working in France at the time. They married in Brussels in 1969 and then returned to Tom’s hometown of Wilmington, DE. In 1971, they bought an 1860s house that became their forever home in Middletown, DE.

Ann was devoted to her family. She was predeceased by her older sister Molley Francis Watkins Lester and older brother Joseph Wesley Watkins III. She is survived by her loving husband, Tom; her cherished daughter, Mary Amanda Stevens; and her brothers, William Sherrill Wakins and Gordon Estes Watkins, sister-in-law Carol Stevens Harding, and dear nieces nephews, cousins, and friends too numerous to mention. She was a steadfast source of love, encouragement, and wisdom to those fortunate enough to know her.

A dedicated advocate for education, community service, and the arts, Ann was an active member of Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) and the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She was also an active member of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church and served for several years as the Senior Warden of the Vestry, where her leadership and commitment strengthened the parish community. She was also a founding board member of the Everett Theatre in Middletown, Delaware, helping to foster and preserve an important cultural and artistic asset for generations to come.

Ann’s greatest gift was her ability to make everyone feel welcomed and valued. With a vibrant personality and a generous Southern soul, she freely shared her compassion, laughter, and friendship with all who crossed her path. Whether through her volunteer work, her church service, her community involvement, or simple acts of kindness, she left an enduring mark on the lives of many.