Anna Bell Shingler

Born Anna Bell Patterson in 1929 in Oklahoma City, OK, Anna started her adventurous life when she became an equestrian and barrel racer as a young teen. She later met and married Air Force Major William Winsor who had served in World War II. They lived a busy military life, raised three children, and later retired in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Major Winsor passed away in 1994, and Anna then met and married Colonel (ret.) Larry Shingler in 1995 and continued to reside in the Ft. Walton Beach area until 2020 when they left devoted friends and moved to Georgia to be near son, Michael Winsor.

Anna served the Lord through music playing French horn, piano, singing, and leading choirs at various base chapels and later teaching Sunday School and volunteering at First Baptist Church of Fort Walton. Subsequently, she and Col. Shingler joined Shalimar United Methodist Church where she served in the library. Anna became a realtor working for Brooks Realty and, for a time, was partner in her own company Conner, Owen and Winsor. Anna loved being involved in her community through acting in the local theater, modeling, participating in a number of bowling leagues, playing bridge, and golfing. She even became an author later in life writing a book on what was then a new phenomenon—retirement communities. Anna also loved to travel and enjoyed many trips over the years visiting family and friends across the US and in Europe.

Anna was preceded in death by her son, Patrick Winsor (Joy Johnston) and recently by her husband, Larry Shingler. She is survived by her brother Jerry Patterson (Jeannie), daughter Sheri Winsor Hallstrom (Daniel), son Michael Winsor (Cheryl), step-sons Tim Shingler (Tracey) and Todd Shingler (Claire), 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service to honor Anna’s life will be held at Shalimar United Methodist Church in Shalimar, FL, on August 28th at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Southern Grace Hospice Foundation at https://www.southerngracehospice.com/ .